Latest news with #RoyalArmedForces'
Morocco World
05-05-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Morocco Sends 82-Member Medical Team to Support Pilgrims During Hajj
Rabat – In a ceremony held Monday in Rabat, Health Minister Amine Tahraoui officially welcomed the Moroccan medical mission set to accompany pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj season. The mission's sole goal is to ensure Moroccan pilgrims receive proper medical care throughout their stay in the holy sites. The delegation includes 82 professionals, doctors, nurses, and administrators, drawn from both the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Royal Armed Forces' health services. Their task goes beyond standard medical support. They are expected to stand by the pilgrims in moments of need, provide guidance, administer care, and offer reassurance far from home. Minister Tahraoui reminded the medical team of the responsibility they carry, not only as healthcare professionals but as representatives of Morocco. He urged them to approach their mission with integrity, compassion, and a spirit of service. The task ahead, he said, demands more than clinical expertise, it calls for attentiveness, empathy, and a constant readiness to assist. He stressed the importance of early intervention and awareness. Preventive care, he noted, holds equal weight to treatment. He encouraged the team to remain close to the pilgrims, offer guidance, and help prevent health complications before they arise. Their role also involves monitoring existing health conditions, offering psychological support, and reacting promptly to emergencies. Lamiae Chakiri, regional health director for Souss-Massa and head of this year's medical mission, expressed confidence in the team's ability to meet the demands of the pilgrimage. Before departure, regional health offices across Morocco carried out medical screenings and administered vaccinations. An online platform has also been set up to keep pilgrims informed and connected to the health services available to them abroad. The support system does not end with the team. The ministry has deployed medical points in key locations across Mecca and Medina, seven fixed centers and several mobile units. Referral teams will assist pilgrims in hospitals, while awareness teams will offer advice and answer questions. A new digital system will allow doctors to track each patient's medical file in real time and detect any potential outbreaks. To give pilgrims more control over their health, the ministry has prepared individual kits containing portable medical tools, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters, alongside face masks and hand sanitizers. As thousands of Moroccans prepare for a physically and emotionally demanding journey, the medical mission stands ready to ensure their safety and well-being. Tags: HajjHajj 2025hajj moroccoHajj season
Morocco World
25-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
US Patriot Defense System Arrives in Morocco for Critical Field Tests
Doha – Morocco's air defense is set for a major upgrade as the US-made Patriot missile system arrived for field testing at the Royal Armed Forces' main air defense base in Salé, marking a key step toward its formal acquisition. The advanced air defense system's arrival, confirmed by multiple sources on Tuesday, caps years of behind-the-scenes negotiations between Morocco and the United States. Three Patriot launchers were spotted being transported on Moroccan highways, pointing to the commencement of technical evaluations and operational familiarization phases. 'The Patriot system combines an advanced anti-aircraft interceptor missile with one of the world's most capable target-tracking radars,' explained the Defense Atlas Observatory, indicating its battle-tested performance and frontline credibility. The system has demonstrated its precision in various conflict zones, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where earlier versions successfully intercepted Russian fighters and missiles. The groundwork for this acquisition was laid in January 2021, when the US International Trade Administration revealed Morocco's interest in the system. 'Morocco is the largest purchaser of U.S. arms in Africa… The country has purchased Patriot air defense systems and G550 reconnaissance aircraft,' the administration stated in an official note. Lockheed Martin's vice president of air and missile defense systems declared that Morocco is set to acquire the latest PAC-3 MSE variant of the Patriot system, confirming the deal in public remarks made the same year. Read also: Agadir Hosts Final Planning for African Lion 2025 Military Exercise This acquisition would significantly enhance Morocco's multi-layered air defense architecture, particularly against ballistic threats. The testing process mirrors previous major military acquisitions by Morocco. 'This process is similar to that of Apache helicopters, which were field-tested in Morocco in 2016 before the official agreement signing, as well as HIMARS missile systems, which underwent multiple tests during African Lion exercises before their official acquisition,' the Observatory reported. The Patriot system, which can intercept targets at distances ranging from 40 to 160 kilometers and altitudes exceeding 24,400 meters, would complement Morocco's existing air defense network. The system holds the distinction of being the first anti-aircraft weapon system to successfully engage a tactical ballistic missile in combat and provide tactical missile protection during operations. Earlier this month, Morocco received its first batch of six AH-64E Apache combat helicopters at the Sale Royal Air Force Base. During the ceremony, General Michael Langley, Commander of US AFRICOM, stressed Morocco's regional influence. 'African armies are watching you and taking examples from you,' he said, noting that Morocco has become 'a reference in defense and stability.' The United States currently maintains $8.545 billion in active government-to-government sales cases with Morocco under the Foreign Military Sales system. The final acquisition agreement is expected to be announced by the US Defense Department's Defense Cooperation Agency following the completion of field tests. Tags: Military modernizationMoroccan MilitaryMoroccan Royal Armed Forces
