French arms manufacturers are keen to take advantage of President Emmanuel Macron's backing for the Moroccan Sahara. As Macron prepares for his upcoming state visit to the Kingdom, they are hoping for a significant re-entry into the Moroccan market. According to La Tribune on Tuesday, October 15, «two major projects are under serious negotiation—helicopters and submarines». «Airbus Helicopters is in talks with Morocco over a substantial order for Caracals, which could total 18 aircraft (12 for the air force and 6 for the gendarmerie), with the deal estimated at between 600 and 800 million euros», reported the French outlet. The last comparable deal was in 2013 when 682.9 million euros worth of contracts were signed after former President François Hollande's state visit, which included the construction of two reconnaissance satellites. Since then, orders have been more modest, aside from 2020 when deals reached 407.4 million euros. That year saw a visit by Florence Parly, then Minister of Defense, who met with Morocco's Minister Delegate for National Defense and the former Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). In other years, however, agreements with the FAR fell short of expectations for French arms dealers. According to the 2023 report on French arms exports presented to Parliament, annual figures included €91.9 million in 2014, €111.8 million in 2015, €170.4 million in 2016, €51 million in 2017, €75.8 million in 2018, €199.4 million in 2019, €111.6 million in 2021, and €145 million in 2022. Macron's visit has also renewed Naval Group's hopes to secure deals with the Royal Moroccan Navy. The company is aiming to sell «two submarines and construct a submarine base», noted La Tribune. As part of the Chebec 2024 naval exercises held between Morocco and France from October 7 to 13, the French Navy deployed a nuclear attack submarine for the first time.
