Moroccan Air Force ranked fourth in Africa in global power assessment

The Royal Moroccan Air Force has secured the 65th position globally and the fourth spot in Africa in the 2026 World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) rankings. The North African nation's air power is evaluated based on a comprehensive scoring system that considers fleet size, aircraft diversity, technological development, logistical support, and overall operational capability.

Morocco's active air force inventory comprises 285 aircraft. Fighter jets constitute approximately 21% of this total, while helicopters, used for transport, special missions, troop support, and direct attack roles, make up a significant 32%. Transport aircraft account for 14% of the air force's strength.

The WDMMA report highlights that the Royal Moroccan Air Force operates a mix of French "Mirage" and American "F-5" and "F-16" fighter jets. Its helicopter fleet includes American-made "AB429," "AB212," and "H135M" models, alongside 24 French "SA330" helicopters and 19 "SA342" units. For transport, Morocco utilizes 13 "C-130" aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, five Spanish "CN235" planes, and various other aircraft from French, Italian, German, and American manufacturers. Additionally, the air force possesses 80 training aircraft, 59 of which are American-made.

The ranking system, known as the "True Value Rating" (TVR), evaluates 129 air forces across 103 countries. Globally, the U.S. Air Force leads with over 5,000 aircraft, followed by the U.S. Navy, Russian Air Force, and the U.S. Army. Among Islamic nations, Saudi Arabia ranks highest at 17th globally, followed by Pakistan (18th) and Turkey. Egypt is placed 22nd worldwide with over 1,000 aircraft.