Spain’s arms exports to Morocco soar 40% in 2025

MADRID - Spain significantly increased its arms exports to Morocco in 2025, with shipments rising 40.4% year-on-year to reach €29.6 million, up from €21.08 million in 2024, according to the figures released by Spain’s Ministry of Economy and Trade.

The surge highlights a continued upward trend in military trade between the two neighbours, and comes against the backdrop of improved diplomatic relations since Spain's 2022 shift in position on the Western Sahara issue, which paved the way for deeper cooperation across trade, security, migration management, and defense. 

Bilateral trade has soared in recent years, reaching €21 billion annually, while the two countries are set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal — milestones that have reinforced economic and strategic alignment.

Additional exports of weapons components and related materials exceeded €8 million, reflecting a focus on munitions, support systems, and modular enhancements rather than large-scale platforms like aircraft or ships.

This composition suggests Morocco is prioritizing ammunition stocks, maintenance kits, and accessory upgrades — likely to sustain and modernize existing inventories amid ongoing regional security dynamics, including tensions in the Sahel and maritime domain awareness in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

Contextual surge and policy contrast

The 40.4% increase follows an even more dramatic jump the previous year: in 2024, Spanish arms exports to Morocco surged over 1,200% from just €1.5 million in 2023. The consistent growth indicates a sustained pattern of procurement from Spanish suppliers, benefiting companies in Spain’s defense sector.

Notably, the rise occurred while the Spanish government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez maintained a blanket ban on arms sales to Israel, a policy that has drawn domestic and international scrutiny. 

Morocco’s arms imports contribute to ongoing modernization efforts under the Royal Armed Forces' strategic plans, emphasizing diversified sourcing, local maintenance capacity, and interoperability with NATO-standard equipment. 

The North African Kingdom has pursued similar partnerships with the United States, France, Turkey, and others in recent years.

Relations between Madrid and Rabat remain robust — underpinned by high-level summits, economic interdependence, and joint initiatives.

For now, the numbers confirm that military cooperation is keeping pace with — if not accelerating alongside — the broader thaw in Spanish-Moroccan ties.