Royal Moroccan Navy

Royal Moroccan Navy (English)
القوات البحرية الملكية المغربية (Arabic)
Adwas Ageldan n Yilel (Berber)
Marine royale (French)
Moroccan Royal Navy Seal
Active 1960 (Modern)- 11th century (historic)
Country  Morocco
Allegiance Kingdom of Morocco
Branch Navy
Type Navy
Size 7,800 personnel (includes 1,500 Marines)
Part of Administration of Defence إدارة الدفاع
Headquarters Rabat-Salé
Anniversaries April 1st (foundation)
Equipment 89 vessels 17 aircraft
Commanders
Inspector General of the Navy Vice-Admiral Mohammed Laghmari
Commander-in-Chief King Mohammed VI
Insignia
Naval Ensign
Naval Jack
Aircraft flown
Helicopter AS565 Panther

The Royal Navy of Morocco (Arabic: القوات البحرية الملكية المغربية‎‎, Berber: Adwas Ageldan n Yilel, French: Marine royale) is a branch of the military of Morocco responsible for conducting naval operations. The Royal Moroccan Navy is administratively managed by the Administration of Defence, which is (de facto) commanded by King Mohammed VI, the commander-in-chief of the Moroccan Armed Forces.

Mission

The Royal Moroccan Navy is part of the Moroccan Armed Forces. Its mission includes the protection of Moroccan territory and sovereignty, as well as the control of Morocco's 81,000-square-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone. Given Morocco's significant coastline (2,952 km) and strategic position overseeing the Strait of Gibraltar, it (along with Spain and the United Kingdom) is deeply involved in the security of this important international waterway.

History

The history of the modern Royal Moroccan Navy began in 1960 with its foundation by King Mohammed V. The first admiral of the modern Moroccan Navy was Vice Admiral Mohammed Triki, who held the position as the Commander in Chief of the Royal Moroccan Navy for 14 years and devoted 46 years of services to the Moroccan Navy. Vice Admiral Triki was awarded these decorations: (from Morocco) Legion of the Order of Commander, Knight of the Order of the Throne by his majesty King Hassan II; (from France) Legion of Honor by President Jacques Chirac; (from USA) Legion of Merit by President Bill Clinton; and (from Spain) Legion of Merit. Although the modern Royal Navy was structured following independence, the Moroccan naval military traces its roots back to the 11th century, with the rise of the Almoravid dynasty, and its ambition for naval hegemony in the Mediterranean Sea. Admiral Abdullah Ben Meimoun is credited for being the first commander of the Almoravid dynasty organized naval forces. With the Almohad dynasty taking over most of northern Africa, together with Al-Andalus, the Almohad dynasty navy soon became the "first fleet of the Mediterranean".[1] At its peak, the Almohad navy's military reputation was well known, inciting Ayyubid dynasty Egypt and Saladin to seek its help in preventing Crusades expeditions. The 16th century had the starting decline of the Moroccan state and consequently the navy that served it. The capture of major coastal cities and locations by Spain and Portugal much affected Morocco's naval capabilities. Later on, under pressure from a coalition of European powers, Sultan Slimane dismantled the last remanents of the Moroccan Navy.

Bases

The main bases of the Royal Moroccan Navy are located in:

Equipment

Warships

Class Photo No. Ship Year
Commissioned		 Note
Frigates (3)
FREMM frigate 701 Mohammed VI 2014 ASW version[2]
Floréal 611 Mohammed V 2002
612 Hassan II 2003
Corvettes (4)
Descubierta Class 501 Lieutenant-Colonel Errahmani 1983 Updated in 2014 [3]
Damen Sigma class 613 Tarik Ben Ziyad 2011 Sigma 10513 version
614 Sultan Moulay Ismail 2012 Sigma 9813 version
615 Allal Ben Abdellah 2012 Sigma 9813 Version
Missile boats (4)
Lazaga Class 304 El Khattabi 1981
305 Commandant Boutouba 1981
306 Commandant El Harty 1982
307 Commandant Azouggarh 1982
Patrol boats (18)
OPV-70 341 Bir Anzaran 2011 4 under construction
OPV-64 318 Raïs Bargach 1995
319 Raïs Britel 1996
320 Raïs Charkaoui 1996
321 Raïs Maaninou 1997
322 Raïs Al Mounastiri 1997
Osprey 55 class 308 El Lahiq 1987
309 El Tawfiq 1988
316 El Hamiss 1990
317 El Karib 1990
Cormoran Class
310 Lieutenant De Vaisseau Rabhi 1988
311 Errachiq 1988
312 El Akid 1989
313 El Maher 1989
314 El Majid 1989
315 El Bachir 1989
PR-72 class corvette
302 Okba 1976
303 Triki 1977
Damen Interceptor 1503
1-5 TBD 2016 5 under construction for Coast Guard Duties, capable of 60 knots

Amphibious and auxiliary vessels

Class Photo No. Ship Year
Commissioned		 Note
Amphibious ships
BATRAL LST 402 Daoud Ben Aicha 1977
403 Ahmed Es Sakali 1977
404 Abou Abdallah El Ayachi 1978
Support ships
Hydrographic and Oceanographic Boat
xxx BHO 2017/2018 Used to chart the underwater coastal area.
Ad Dakhla CLS
408 Daoud Ben Aicha 1997 coastal logistics ship
Hydrographic research boat H-01 H-01 2011 Used to chart the underwater coastal area.
Damen Stan Tug 2208
A2 Al Mounkid 2015 Coastal & Harbour Tug
BBP 803 BBP Submariner Training Ship.
Marrakech transport ship ro-ro xxx ro-ro transport Ship ro-ro.
50 m landing craft tank (LCT) from Piriou
409 LCT landing craft tank .

Inshore patrol vessels

Aircraft

Aircraft Photo Origin Mission In Service Note
Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Britten-Norman Defender  United KingdomMaritime patrol aircraft 14 Operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Force
Helicopters
Eurocopter AS565 MA  France Naval Military utility 3 Operated by the Royal Moroccan Navy

Notable sailors

Abdelkader Perez, Admiral and an ambassador to England in 1723.

See also

References

  1. ↑ André, Charles-André (1994). Histoire de l'Afrique du Nord. Paris: Payot. p. 866. ISBN 978-2-228-88789-2.
  2. ↑ "DCNS delivers multimission frigate Mohammed VI to Royal Moroccan Navy". January 30, 2014.
  3. ↑
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