Morocco - Safety and Security Morocco - Safety and Security
Overview
The government places the utmost priority on protecting its people, economy and political system from terrorist and criminal elements.
Morocco’s geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East exposes it to transnational threats, including illegal immigration and the trafficking of humans and narcotics. Under its customs and port security agreements with the United States and other countries, Morocco has committed to implementing major upgrades and maintain strict security standards at its airports, seaports, and border crossings. It provides similar security protections to certain government facilities.
Leading Sub-Sectors
- Security and safety equipment and related solutions for seaports, airports, border crossings, buildings, and security and safety agencies, such as the police;
- Integrated monitoring and surveillance solutions;
- Bomb detection and anti-terrorism;
- Luggage screening devices;
- Biometrics;
- Access control and alarm systems;
- Terminal operating systems;
- X-ray and scanning equipment;
- Fire prevention and control equipment, alarm equipment for building safety, emergency evacuation systems;
- Radio communication systems;
- Inspection equipment for containers, and seaport cargo;
- Cybersecurity and IT security solutions;
- Opportunities.
- Military
The Moroccan army has contracted from the United States for 222 main battle tanks, including state-of-the-art Abrams tanks, delivery was completed in 2018. Furthermore, Morocco signed a contract in 2019 to be provided with technical support for their Abrams tanks.
The Royal Moroccan Air Force flies F-16 fighters, C-130 transport aircraft, and CH-47D helicopters, among other U.S.-origin equipment, while the Royal Moroccan Navy operates modern frigates equipped with U.S.-origin digital communications.
The Moroccan defense budget is expected to grow to $3.9 billion by 2022. Primary sources for the Moroccan military are the United States, France, and Spain. Morocco's military expenditures totaled about $48 billion between 2005 and 2015. Over the last decade, Morocco has strengthened its navy and equipped its army with sophisticated vehicles. In addition, Morocco purchased this year 25 new F-16 aircraft while launching an overhaul for its current fleet for a total budget of $4.8 billion, as well as requested 24 new Apache attack helicopters at $1.5 Billion. Other significant purchases include 162 new M1A1 tanks at $.75B, 300 TOW missile launchers with 1800 missiles at $180 Million, and significant interest in purchasing High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), PATRIOT Air Defense systems, and G550 reconnaisance aircraft. Morocco is the largest U.S. weapons buyer in Africa.
- Police
DGSN is preparing to launch a next generation National Electronic Identity Card, which will introduce new physical and digital security features.
- Civilian
Public Sector: The National Airports Office (Office National des Aeroports, ONDA) is responsible for all aspects of airport security and purchasing related to its projects. ONDA intends to invest $27 million in airport safety and security equipment and air traffic, in addition to billions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades. The airport of Casablanca recently expanded its terminal one at the cost of $16 million. Thanks to this expansion the airport increased its passenger capacity to 14 million per year.
Moroccan sea ports handle more than 95% of Morocco’s foreign trade, with Casablanca and TangerMed being the largest. The National Ports Agency (Agence Nationale des Ports, ANP) supervises the 27 ports, all but one of which are operated by the semi-public Company for Ports Development and Operation (Société d’Exploitation des Ports, SODEP, also called Marsa Maroc). TangerMed is under the authority of the TangerMed Port Authority (TMPA).
Private: The market for private security equipment and services is expected to increase by 20% in the next three years. The security services market (manned, electronic, cash in transit, etc.) is dominated by a small number of international firms. However, the last two years have seen the proliferation of local Moroccan private security firms competing mostly in manned security services. Opportunities for sales of security and safety products also exist with large Moroccan firms and major banks, telecoms, and other industrial companies.
Web Resources
Moroccan government safety and security institutions are not accessible via internet.