Apache Guardians for Morocco

Three Royal Moroccan Air Force AH-64E attack helicopters (serials 2403, 2404, and one unidentified) visited Midland/Odessa Air Terminal (TX) for an overnight stop before continuing east to an as yet unspecified base to be transported onwards to Morocco.
The procurement process for the Moroccan AH-64 Apaches reportedly began in 2010, and serious negotiations began in April 2018, when General Abdelfattah Louarak, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces Chief of Staff was briefed on the Apache when he visited the United States.
Morocco reportedly selected the Apache after rejecting the TAI T129 ATAK, apparently after Moroccan authorities considered that the Turkish helicopter had “not satisfied expectations” during a Syrian deployment.
Formal approval for the possible sale of 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters and related equipment to Morocco was granted in November 2019, at an estimated cost of US $4.25 billion.
In June 2020, Morocco announced its plans to acquire 24 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardians, with an option to acquire 12 additional helicopters.
Production of the Moroccan Apaches began in November 2023 at Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona, factory.
Royal Moroccan Armed Forces pilot training began in the United States in 2019. The National Guard in each US state runs a State Partnership Program with one or more foreign nations, and Morocco is partnered with the Utah Army National Guard. Moroccan pilots therefore converted to the Apache with the Utah Guard.
Colonel Khaled Samit, commander of the FRA’s AeroCombat squadron, became the first Moroccan pilot to fly the AH-64 in Utah in July 2019. He is expected to command the first Moroccan Apache unit.
In September 2021, further Moroccan helicopter pilots began simulator training with the 1st Battalion of the 211th Aviation Regiment, Utah Army National Guard at Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah, gradually building up a cadre of pilots with Apache experience prior to the commencement of full conversion training to the new type.
To accommodate the new Apache squadrons, the FARM has upgraded the Khouribga military base, which will accommodate two Apache Squadrons within its Aerocombat Wing.
The AH-64E model is equipped with advanced weaponry, including Lockheed Martin AGM-114L/R Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided missiles. The acquisition also includes over 5,000 70-mm rockets and Raytheon AIM-92H Stinger air-to-air missiles.
Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent United States, opening its ports to American ships in 1777 by decree of Sultan Mohammed III. Morocco formally recognized the United States by signing a treaty of peace and friendship in 1786, marking the start of the USA’s longest unbroken relationship in US history.
Interestingly, it has emerged that Morocco is again in negotiations with Turkey for the supply of up to 22 T129s to augment its new Apaches.
Photos via Less Hawk 4723 (via Reddit)