فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
On Tuesday, the Royal Moroccan Air Force and the French Air and Space Force launched a joint military exercise named “Marathon 25,” involving French Rafale fighters, Moroccan F-16s, and support aircraft to enhance interoperability between the two forces.
This high-level aerial exercise, currently taking place on Moroccan soil, aims primarily to improve coordination capabilities, master tactical procedures, and strengthen the exchange of operational expertise between the two militaries.
On the French side, five Rafale B fighter jets from the 4th Fighter Squadron and an A330 MRTT Phoenix tanker and strategic transport aircraft are participating. The Moroccan contingent includes eight F-16s from the Royal Moroccan Air Force, along with Puma helicopters specialized in transport and medical evacuation.
The “Marathon 25” exercise is divided into two main phases:
- Phase One: Real live-fire operations conducted by the French Rafale B jets, accompanied by in-flight refueling operations carried out by the A330 Phoenix in support of the Moroccan F-16s.
- Phase Two: Joint tactical simulation exercises, inter-service coordination, and management of realistic operational scenarios.
The organization of this exercise once again highlights Morocco’s central role in international military cooperation and its positioning as a strategic platform for training partner armed forces. This exercise is part of a series of large-scale multilateral drills regularly hosted by the Kingdom, such as the annual African Lion exercise conducted in partnership with the United States, recognized as the largest military exercise in Africa.
Marathon 25 exemplifies advanced military cooperation between Morocco and France, enhancing the readiness and skills of their forces in a shared training environment, and reaffirming Morocco’s key role in regional security and stability.
