Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces has taken delivery of an initial batch of Sherpa military-grade armored vehicles and VL MICA anti-aircraft missile systems from France.
The delivery is part of a 2020 agreement to manufacture and supply 36 Sherpa light 4×4 tactical vehicles, particularly scout and armored personnel carrier variants.
Developed by French firm Renault Trucks Defense, the Sherpa scout can carry five crew and support surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrol missions.
It can be fitted with a remote control weapon station, allowing operators to fire from inside the vehicle with a joystick and LCD video screen.
The Sherpa APC features an extended chassis and is larger, carrying up to 10 personnel, including the driver and commander.
It can travel up to 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour and cross water up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in depth.
The Sherpa is commonly manufactured for organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan.
Arquus Sherpa Light Scout 4×4 protected vehicle with @BertinTechnolog PeriSight 360° short-range thermal situational awareness system. pic.twitter.com/hx3Ykyuzlq
— Victor Barreira / Defence 360° (@Defence360) June 1, 2020
Anti-Aircraft Systems
Morocco received two VL MICA batteries in recent weeks, according to a report by DefenceWeb.
The missile system can destroy and neutralize aircraft, ships, and other military platforms at short and medium range.
It can be fitted with either a heat-seeking homing head or an active radar to ensure an “outstanding” kill probability, even in severe operational environments.
French missile manufacturer MBDA said that the VL MICA facilitates integration with a global air defense network, ensures ease of deployment, and minimizes the need for more operators.
The North African nation could reportedly acquire four additional VL MICA batteries from France in coming months.
