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Morocco Receives First Oshkosh M-ATV Armored Vehicles for Desert Units
Doha – The Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have recently taken delivery of their first fleet of M-ATV Standard Base (SXB) tactical armored vehicles manufactured by the American company Oshkosh Defense. These vehicles are specifically designed to equip ground forces deployed in the Saharan and eastern regions of the country.
According to converging reports, the port of Casablanca received a special shipment, with the vehicles appearing in recent pictures circulating across military forums. The armored vehicles combine mobility, ballistic protection, and operational capability in asymmetric environments.
The delivery is part of the Special Defense Acquisition Fund (SDAF) established by the Pentagon and the US State Department to finance the purchase of defense equipment and services for transfer to allied partners and international organizations.
The M-ATV vehicles, in service with the US Army since 2009, are equipped with Plasan composite armor compliant with STANAG 4569 level 4/3b/4 standards, providing effective resistance against 14.5 mm caliber fire, 8-kilogram anti-tank mines, and artillery fragments at a distance of 30 meters.
These protection features ensure crew safety in high-risk contexts, particularly during operations in unstable areas.
Each of these vehicles can be equipped with 7.62 mm M240 machine guns, 12.7 mm M2 heavy machine guns, 40 mm Mk19 automatic grenade launchers, or BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile launchers.
This weapons diversity allows field units to adapt to different threats and engage various targets effectively.
Under the hood, the Caterpillar C7 turbocharged diesel engine delivers 370 horsepower, coupled with an Allison 3500SP six-speed automatic transmission.
The Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension, combined with a robust design, allows these armored vehicles to reach a maximum speed of 105 km/h on roads while ensuring excellent maneuverability on rough terrain.
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Their operational range reaches approximately 510 kilometers, an important asset for long-distance operations in remote areas.
In parallel, Morocco has also ordered HET A1 heavy logistics tractors equipped with specialized 635NL trailers, with delivery expected from summer 2025.
Designed for moving oversized military equipment, these heavy transport vehicles are powered by a 700-horsepower Caterpillar C18 engine and feature a robust transmission system.
'We are proud to support the Kingdom in structuring its logistics capabilities by providing high-tonnage tractors for transporting the heaviest equipment,' Pat Williams, Oshkosh Defense's program director, said at the time of the official announcement in September 2024. 'This order reflects the confidence in our expertise in tactical mobility and advanced ground support.'
The HET A1 tractors are equipped with two high-capacity winches, each capable of pulling nearly 25 tons, and benefit from advanced suspension and modular protections according to the Long-Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) doctrine.
These features guarantee the safety of equipment and crews, even in hostile and complex environments.
The M-ATV SXB version received by the FAR is the basic variant, while a distinct model intended for special forces—designated M-ATV SXF—is characterized by several structural differences not yet included in the contracts notified to Morocco.
The M-ATVs will reinforce the Brimoto (motorized brigades) units deployed in the country's Saharan and eastern regions. Tags: Moroccan MilitaryRoyal Armed Forces (FAR)
