فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Madrid – Spanish newspaper “La Razón” has reported that the Spanish company Navantia will deliver an Avante 1800-class naval frigate to the Kingdom of Morocco in 2026. This military deal represents a qualitative leap in maritime cooperation between Rabat and Madrid and is part of the ongoing modernization of the Royal Moroccan Navy’s capabilities.
The Avante 1800 frigate is one of Navantia’s latest productions, featuring a multi-role design and advanced technical specifications. It has a length of 87 meters and a displacement of approximately 2,100 tons. Its maximum speed reaches 26 knots, and it can sail a distance of up to 4,000 nautical miles without refueling. It also has a platform for helicopters weighing up to 10 tons, a hangar for unmanned aerial vehicles or light helicopters, and two 8-meter fast boats.
The frigate’s design allows it to be used in a variety of missions, including monitoring the Exclusive Economic Zone, combating smuggling and illegal immigration, fighting marine pollution, search and rescue operations, and rapid intervention, in addition to supporting combat diving units.
Although the specific armament of the Moroccan version has not been officially announced, the Spanish newspaper suggests that it will include a diverse array of weaponry, including a 76mm main gun, 35mm secondary guns, and 12.7mm heavy machine guns, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile systems. The vessel is also expected to be equipped with advanced electronic systems, including three-dimensional radars, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, sonar devices, and electronic warfare systems.
According to La Razón, the agreement with Navantia is not limited to the manufacturing and delivery of the vessel but also includes logistical and training services for the Moroccan Navy crews, which will be carried out within Spanish territory. This reflects an advanced level of industrial and defense cooperation between the two countries, especially after the improvement of bilateral relations following Madrid’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
This acquisition aims to strengthen the Royal Moroccan Navy’s fleet, which already includes the Mohammed VI FREMM frigate and three SIGMA-class corvettes, at a time when the Kingdom seeks to consolidate its position as a regional naval power capable of protecting its interests in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
