wo simulators, and a base waiting for them. The US Department of War published on August 31 the award to CAE Inc. of a contract capped at $42,103,873 covering the Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Block 72 training system and its contractor logistics support.
The deal covers two full mission trainer systems. Work is split between Arlington, Texas, and Sidi Slimane Air Base, with completion expected by April 30, 2029.
The contract falls under Foreign Military Sales, and $37,975,064 in FMS funds were obligated at the time of award.
Sidi Slimane is not a neutral site. It is the fifth air base, the one the kingdom has been refitting for years to receive the Block 72.
What is missing is the aircraft. Morocco signed in March 2019 for twenty-five F-16 Block 72s and for bringing twenty-three airframes up to the F-16V standard, and none have yet been delivered. The simulators will therefore have been ordered before the jets land.
Photo: U.S. Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Alexandra Longfellow, public domain.
United States Department of War — contract announcements of 31 August 2026, contract FA862126CB003.
Defense Security Cooperation Agency — notifications on the sale of twenty-five F-16 Block 72 aircraft to Morocco and the upgrade of the Moroccan fleet to the F-16V standard.
