فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Morocco – United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) announced that more than 40 American technology companies will participate in testing advanced military innovations in Morocco from April 20 to May 8, 2026, as part of the “African Lion 26” military exercises.
According to information released by the organizing authority, the 2026 edition marks a qualitative milestone in the history of this annual military exercise. For the first time, technology providers will be directly integrated into field maneuvers to assess the effectiveness of their equipment under real operational conditions.
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Testing in Real Conditions
The initiative is led by the Advanced Capabilities Directorate (ACD) under U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). It aims to accelerate the transformation of technological innovations into operational capabilities ready for immediate deployment in the field.
SETAF-AF stated that Morocco was selected for its “unique advantages,” including extensive live-fire ranges, unrestricted airspace, and an open electromagnetic spectrum that allows for realistic testing environments. This setting enables immediate performance assessment, with any technical issues identified directly during trials.
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Types of Technologies Being Tested
According to the same source, the selected technologies include:
- 10 command-and-control systems
- 4 long-range strike capabilities
- 12 advanced defense solutions
- 15 counter-operation integration systems
Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Leon-Guerrero, Director of the ACD project, stated that the “ultimate objective is to translate military transformation concepts into tangible and battlefield-ready capabilities.”
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Shift Toward Real-Time Data Analysis
One of the key features of “African Lion 26” will be the modernization of military data processing mechanisms. The joint task force headquarters is expected to transition from manual reporting systems to automated, real-time analytics.
This shift relies on artificial intelligence tools and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, aiming to accelerate decision-making cycles in modern military operations, thereby enhancing responsiveness and operational precision.
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Direct Collaboration Environment
Integrating technology companies into the exercise will enable direct interaction between developers and operational units, including special forces, airborne brigades, and military intelligence units.
Participating military personnel will complete digital evaluation forms to assess equipment performance. The results will be compiled into data dashboards and shared with suppliers and U.S. military leadership in Europe and Africa to support future development and procurement decisions.
“African Lion” is the largest annual military exercise organized by the United States in Africa and is regularly hosted by Morocco within the framework of defense cooperation between the two countries.
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Source: Fès News Media
