United States plans regional drone training center in Morocco

Friday 05 June 2026 - 15:49

By: Dakir Madiha

United States plans regional drone training center in Morocco

The United States is advancing plans to establish a regional drone training center in Morocco as part of a broader defense initiative outlined in a proposed amendment to its 2027 defense authorization framework. The facility is intended to train African partner forces in the use of unmanned aerial systems and improve coordination with US military operations across the continent.

The proposal places Morocco at the center of a regional security training architecture focused on drone capabilities. The program would cover intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting support, reflecting the growing role of unmanned systems in modern military operations. The objective is to strengthen operational readiness among partner militaries facing insurgent and terrorist threats in multiple African regions.

The initiative builds on existing joint military activity conducted under the African Lion exercise, a recurring multinational drill held in Morocco with US participation and several African partners. These exercises have already introduced shared operational frameworks, which the new center would formalize into a permanent training structure aimed at improving interoperability between participating forces.

The amendment also introduces congressional oversight requirements for the project. The US defense secretary, working with US Africa Command, must submit a detailed report by March 2027 outlining progress, training outcomes, partner participation, and potential expansion of similar centers. The report must also address civilian harm mitigation, compliance with the laws of armed conflict, and the role of private technology providers in supporting drone training capabilities.