Spain to Deliver Morocco’s New Navantia Patrol Boat Before August 2026

Key Points

• Spain’s Navantia will deliver Morocco’s offshore patrol boat before August 2026, with July as the target month.
• The vessel will be handed over without built-in weapons; Morocco will equip it according to its own needs.
• This is the first warship Spain has built for Morocco in 40 years and the first ship Navantia has built for Rabat since its 2005 creation.
• The 87-meter-long, 13-meter-wide patrol boat is based on Navantia’s Avante 1800 model and can carry a crew of 60.
• The ship is currently undergoing sea trials in Cádiz and is being built at Navantia San Fernando shipyard.
• The project supports around 1,100 jobs annually over three years.
• Estimated contract value is €130 million; Banco Santander provided a €95 million loan in 2022 to finance the project.
• The deal includes technical and logistical support, spare parts, tools, documentation, and training in Spain for Royal Moroccan Navy personnel.
• Morocco was Africa’s second-highest military spender in 2025 at $6.3 billion, up 6.6% from 2024, according to SIPRI.
• Morocco allocates 3.54% of its GDP to defense, ranking 15th globally by defense spending share.
• Morocco plans to strengthen its navy, with possible acquisition of three submarines in 2027 (Korean KSS-III or French Scorpène).
• No further Navantia–Morocco contracts are planned in the short term.

Casablanca (Britain Today News) May 18, 2026 – Spain is on track to deliver Morocco’s new offshore patrol boat before August 2026, with July marked as the target delivery month, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation and Navantia’s international shipbuilding portfolio.

What is the timeline for Spain’s delivery of Morocco’s new patrol boat?

Navantia is expected to deliver the offshore patrol boat it is building for Morocco before August, with July identified as the target month. The vessel, first announced in January 2021, is already undergoing sea trials in Cádiz, indicating advanced progress in the construction phase. This delivery will represent the first warship built by Spain for Morocco in four decades, and notably, the first ship constructed for Rabat by Navantia since the company’s inception in 2005.

Why will the patrol boat be delivered without built-in weapons?

Navantia will hand over the ship without built-in weapons, leaving Morocco responsible for fitting it out after delivery according to its specific operational needs. The vessel is based on Navantia’s Avante 1800 model, which is designed to carry a 75 or 57 millimeter main gun, two 25 or 30 millimeter secondary guns, and missile launchers for point defense, air defense, and surface-to-surface missions. This modular approach allows Rabat to customize the armament configuration based on its strategic priorities and budgetary considerations.

What are the technical specifications of the new patrol boat?

The patrol boat is being constructed at the Navantia San Fernando shipyard and measures 87 meters in length and 13 meters in width, with capacity for a crew of 60 personnel. The new ship shares similarities with the Spanish Navy’s Maritime Action Vessels (BAM), though the BAM vessels typically carry fewer weapons. The project has generated significant economic impact, with an estimated annual employment impact of around 1,100 jobs over three years.

How much does the patrol boat contract cost and how is it financed?

While the contract value has not been officially disclosed, it is estimated at approximately €130 million. In 2022, Banco Santander granted Morocco a €95 million loan to finance the project, demonstrating strong financial support from Spanish banking institutions for this defence cooperation initiative. The program comprehensively includes technical and logistical support, spare parts, tools, technical documentation, and training in Spain for Royal Moroccan Navy personnel, ensuring Morocco’s long-term operational capability.

What does this delivery mean for Spain-Morocco defence relations?

This delivery marks a historic occasion as the first warship built by Spain for Morocco in 40 years, representing a renewal of defence cooperation between the two neighboring countries. It is also the first ship built for Rabat by Navantia since the company’s creation in 2005, highlighting the significance of this contract for the Spanish shipbuilder. However, no further contracts between Navantia and Morocco are currently planned in the short term, suggesting this may be a standalone project rather than the beginning of a broader programme.
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How is Morocco’s defence spending evolving in 2025?

The delivery comes as Morocco continues to increase its defense spending significantly. According to the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Morocco was Africa’s second highest military spender in 2025, with $6.3 billion. This represents a 6.6% increase from the previous year, demonstrating Morocco’s commitment to modernizing its armed forces.

Morocco now allocates 3.54% of its GDP to defense, placing it 15th worldwide by share of GDP spent on the sector. For comparison, Algeria spent more with $25.4 billion in 2025, up 11%, which represented 8.8% of its GDP. This regional arms dynamic reflects growing security concerns across North Africa.

Why is Morocco strengthening its navy specifically?

Morocco is seeking to strengthen its navy, which is considered the weakest branch of its armed forces. One reported priority is the possible acquisition of three submarines in 2027, indicating Morocco’s strategic focus on expanding its underwater warfare capabilities. The Korean KSS-III by Hanwha and the French Scorpène by Naval Group are seen as the most likely options for these submarine purchases.

This prioritization of naval modernization makes sense given Morocco’s geographic position controlling strategic maritime routes in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, as well as its long coastline requiring extensive patrol coverage.

What are the implications for regional security in North Africa?

The patrol boat delivery and Morocco’s increased defense spending reflect broader security dynamics in North Africa. With Algeria spending $25.4 billion on defense in 2025 (8.8% of GDP) compared to Morocco’s $6.3 billion (3.54% of GDP), there is a significant disparity in military budgets between the two neighboring countries.

This naval modernization programme positions Morocco better to address maritime security challenges including piracy, smuggling, migration control, and territorial surveillance in both the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

The Avante 1800 model’s versatility in carrying various weapon systems allows Morocco to adapt the vessel’s armament as regional security threats evolve, providing long-term operational flexibility for the Royal Moroccan Navy.

This strategic investment demonstrates Morocco’s commitment to maintaining regional security balance while protecting its sovereign maritime interests in an increasingly complex North African security environment.