Maghreb’s Military Reboot: How Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya Are Reshaping Regional Defence

Strengthening Sovereignty and Stability Through Strategic Defence Modernization

As global tensions rise and regional fault lines shift, the three North African nations of Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya are embarking on distinct but converging paths to modernize their armed forces. Their respective strategies reflect urgent security needs, complex geopolitical alignments, and long-term goals of military self-reliance.

This push for modernization across the Maghreb comes at a time when Africa’s defence landscape is being redrawn by both internal instability and external competition. While each country’s roadmap is shaped by its own challenges and resources, a shared trend emerges: the desire to reaffirm sovereignty, protect territorial integrity, and prepare for future threats in a rapidly evolving global order.

Morocco: A Military Strategy Anchored in Technology and Alliances

Morocco is leading the region’s modernization race with a multi-billion-dollar defence strategy aimed at turning the country into a key security actor in North Africa. With a military budget that reached $5.4 billion in 2024, the Kingdom has prioritized both equipment acquisition and industrial development.

Over the past few years, Rabat has signed major arms deals with the United States, Israel, and France, acquiring cutting-edge systems including Patriot air defence batteries, Apache helicopters, and drones. The recent military cooperation with Israel, solidified after normalization in 2020, has notably boosted Morocco’s technological edge.

More importantly, Morocco is investing heavily in domestic production capabilities. The country plans to manufacture drones and light weaponry locally, gradually reducing its dependency on foreign suppliers. This effort aligns with King Mohammed VI’s long-term vision of making Morocco a regional defence hub, capable not just of deterrence but also of exporting military know-how.

Tunisia: Quiet Modernization Amid Structural Constraints

Tunisia’s military modernization is more measured—but equally strategic. With a modest defence budget hovering around $1.2 billion, the country is focusing on capacity-building, training, and targeted acquisitions. Tunisia’s primary security concerns remain counterterrorism, border control, and internal stability.

The Tunisian Armed Forces have received technical support and equipment from the United States, Germany, and Italy, particularly in surveillance, armoured vehicles, and special operations. One of the key priorities is modernizing communication systems and upgrading air mobility, especially for rapid response units operating near the Libyan border and in mountainous regions prone to insurgent activity.

In contrast to Morocco, Tunisia’s military remains apolitical and primarily defensive. However, the government has acknowledged the need to adapt to hybrid threats, including cyber warfare, smuggling networks, and foreign influence operations—prompting a subtle but ongoing evolution in doctrine and training.

Libya: Rebuilding a Fragmented Security Apparatus

In Libya, the challenge is not just modernization—it’s reconstruction. More than a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, the country remains divided between competing governments in Tripoli and Benghazi, each with its own armed forces and foreign backers.

Despite the chaos, both sides have shown interest in building professional military structures, and in 2024, limited efforts were made to restart defence institutions and streamline command chains. The Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) has engaged with Turkey, while Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) continues to receive support from Russia, Egypt, and the UAE.

Libya’s modernization ambitions remain dependent on the political track. Without a unified national defence framework, arms procurement risks reinforcing division rather than state-building. Still, both camps appear to be shifting from reliance on militias toward more formalized military capacities—with increased focus on air defence, armoured vehicles, and border security.

Strategic Implications for Regional and Global Actors

The Maghreb’s rearmament trend has far-reaching implications. Morocco’s partnerships with Israel and NATO-aligned countries may reconfigure the balance of power with Algeria, which has its own historic ties with Russia and a large military stockpile. Tunisia’s careful posture maintains strategic neutrality, while Libya remains a battleground for competing regional and international interests.

From Europe’s perspective, this modernization wave presents both an opportunity and a risk. A more capable Maghreb could help contain terrorism, stem irregular migration, and protect maritime trade routes, but it could also ignite new arms races or intensify old rivalries.

Conclusion: Monitoring the Rise of Defence Sovereignty

African Security Analysis (ASA) observes that Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya are not just updating their arsenals—they are redefining the role of the military in national resilience and regional diplomacy. As global supply chains shift and foreign influence grows more complex, these countries seek not just stronger armies, but stronger autonomy.

For foreign investors, defence partners, and multilateral institutions, understanding these dynamics is essential. ASA offers strategic intelligence, risk analysis, and partner mapping to support stakeholders operating in North Africa’s defence and security sectors.

As North African states reshape their security architecture, ASA remains committed to decoding the trends, actors, and interests shaping this critical transformation.
Let us help you understand where the Maghreb is headed—and how to engage with it responsibly.