Morocco included in US fighter helmet system support contract

Morocco continues to strengthen its defense capabilities through access to advanced military technology after being included in a new US defense contract supporting the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System.

The US Department of Defense has awarded a contract worth more than $333 million to Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems to provide repair and sustainment services for the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, widely known as JHMCS. The advanced helmet is used by US fighter pilots and several allied air forces, including Morocco.

The JHMCS allows pilots to track targets simply by turning their heads while displaying critical flight and targeting information directly on the helmet visor. The technology significantly improves situational awareness and enables faster engagement during air combat operations.

According to Defense Blog, the system allows a pilot to lock a missile onto an opposing aircraft by looking at the target rather than maneuvering the entire aircraft into position. The Pentagon contract covers maintenance and repair activities but does not specify the number of helmet systems or repair operations that will be performed during its duration.

The agreement includes a six-year base period with an optional six-month extension, allowing support to continue through July 2032. Maintenance work will be carried out at Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems facilities in Texas, Oregon, and Israel.

Besides Morocco, the contract also covers several US partners, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, and Thailand.

Morocco has continued to modernize its armed forces through acquisitions of advanced defense equipment in recent years, with the United States remaining one of its principal military suppliers.

The latest Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report showed Morocco as Africa’s second-largest military spender. The report linked defense expenditure to longstanding regional security tensions. Algeria remained the continent’s largest military spender after increasing military expenditure by 11% in 2025, while Morocco’s spending rose by 6.6%.

Morocco has also expanded its naval capabilities through the reported acquisition of two Dutch-built unmanned surface vessels valued at approximately €13 million. The package includes sensors, control systems, spare parts, technical support, and training for the Royal Moroccan Navy. The vessels are intended to support anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasure operations.