U.S. Expands Military Partnership with Morocco, Plans Africa Drone Academy Amid Regional Defence Build-Up
The United States is strengthening its military footprint in Africa with plans to establish a state-of-the-art drone academy and advanced military training centre in Morocco, a move that comes as North Africa experiences a rapid increase in defence spending and geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global security alliances.
The initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 13 between the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces to develop the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center in Tan-Tan by 2030.
The proposed facility will feature a drone academy, a multidomain training complex, and an innovation hub where military personnel, researchers, and defence companies can collaborate to test and develop emerging technologies.
One of its primary objectives is to equip African security forces with advanced drone capabilities for counterterrorism operations, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and modern military planning. The project also reinforces Morocco’s growing role as one of the United States’ closest defence partners in North Africa.
Although AFRICOM has clarified that the centre will not function as a permanent U.S. military base, it will provide Washington with a long-term training and experimentation presence strategically located near the Sahel, the Atlantic coastline, and vital trade routes connecting Africa and Europe. The development comes after the U.S. reduced its permanent military presence on the continent, including its withdrawal from two air bases in Niger in 2024.
North Africa’s Defence Spending Reaches $35 Billion
The announcement coincides with a significant military build-up across North Africa, where defence expenditure climbed to approximately $35 billion in 2025.
Algeria remained the continent’s largest military spender, investing $25.4 billion, representing an 11 percent increase from the previous year, largely driven by acquisitions of advanced military equipment from Russia.
Morocco also expanded its defence budget by 6.6 percent to $6.3 billion, making it Africa’s second-largest military spender. Meanwhile, Egypt continues to modernise its armed forces in response to evolving security challenges linked to conflicts in Libya and Sudan, instability in the Red Sea, and broader tensions across the Middle East.
Strategic Shift in U.S. Military Positioning
The Moroccan initiative also reflects a broader reassessment of America’s overseas military strategy as relations with some NATO allies become increasingly strained.
President Donald Trump has criticised Germany, Italy, and Spain over their level of support for U.S. military operations against Iran. Following disagreements with Germany, Washington announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 American troops from the country, while President Trump also indicated that similar reductions in Italy and Spain remain under consideration.
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Security analysts believe Morocco could emerge as a more important strategic partner should U.S. military operations in Southern Europe face further restrictions.
Political science professor Rafa MartÃnez of the University of Barcelona noted that Washington could increasingly rely on Moroccan military facilities or negotiate expanded access to support operations previously conducted from Spain.
African Lion 2027 to Showcase New Capabilities
The proposed training centre is expected to be demonstrated during African Lion 2027, building on the success of the 2026 multinational military exercise that brought together personnel from Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, and the United States to train in drone operations, reconnaissance, and target identification.
According to AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson, the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center will strengthen operational readiness while promoting innovation and technological cooperation between African partners and the United States.
The initiative is also expected to create opportunities for defence industries, research institutions, and academic organisations to collaborate on developing scalable solutions that address emerging security challenges across Africa.
