Oshkosh Defense has signed a contract to deliver tactical tractors for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
The package includes an unspecified number of the company’s Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) A1 and 635NL trailers for the service.
The systems will be shipped to Rabat by Wisconsin-based tactical systems distribution partner Optimum Vehicle Logistics.
The supply is expected to begin in the summer of 2025.
Supporting Moroccan Main Battle Tank Fleet
Oshkosh noted that the order will support Morocco’s effort to enhance its main battle tank capabilities.
In 2015, the North African country announced the procurement of 222 M1 Abrams from the US, 150 of which were sourced in refurbished condition.
Three years later, the US State Department approved a $1.2-billion foreign military sale of 162 additional Abrams in its latest M1A2 variant to Rabat.
The Moroccan government began receiving the first and second batches of its Abrams tanks in 2016 and 2023, respectively.
“We are pleased to work with Optimum Vehicle Logistics, our exclusive distributor in the Kingdom of Morocco, to supply the Kingdom with additional heavy tactical wheeled vehicles in support of its M1 Abrams modernization efforts,” Oshkosh Defense Chief Programs Officer Pat Williams stated.
“This award reinforces our dedication to partnering with our international partners to strengthen their capabilities and improve interoperability.”
The Heavy Equipment Transport A1
HET A1 is designed for rapid haul of heavy-type platforms such as tanks, armored vehicles, and recovery vehicles.
It has a six-person air-conditioned cab and is powered by an Allison 4800SP transmission as well as a 700-horsepower Caterpillar C18 engine.
Morocco appears to be strengthening it’s logistical capacity. Recently, the Royal Moroccan Army utilizes the high-mobility Tata LPTA 2445 6×6 multi-axle trucks, and the lighter LPTA-715 4×4 truck. Morocco is also taking delivery of at least 500 Turkish-assembled Mercedes Unimog trucks.
Morocco also bought twenty-five M88 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) vehicles from the United States in 2020 to help extract damaged and immobilized vehicles
Few years ago, the logistical component of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces received a significant further boost as French Arquus supplied 300 units of its Véhicule de Liaison de Reconnaissance et d’Appui / Liaison, Reconnaissance and Support Vehicle (VLRA 2) 4×4 light tactical vehicles to Morocco.
Morocco also uses the French-made Renault TRM 700-100 as its primary heavy equipment transporter [HET]. With a payload capacity of 70 tons, this vehicle is tasked with transporting main battle tanks [MBTs] like the Moroccan Army’s M1A1 Abrams and other heavy armor. The TRM 700-100 has been serving for several decades now, providing dependable logistical support for moving military assets.
Morocco also utilizes German-manufactured MAN HX81 transporters. These vehicles boast a robust 8×8 wheel drive and are capable of carrying heavy loads, making them ideal for transporting various armored vehicles. With impressive payload capacity and mobility, the MAN HX81 stands as a crucial asset for the Moroccan Army, particularly in rugged or challenging terrains.
The acquisition of the Oshkosh A1 HET and 635NL trailers will further boost the army’s capabilities, enabling them to transport heavy equipment over long distances with modern technology that surpasses the older fleet.
Over the years, several variant of Oshkosh tactical and utility vehicles have seen service with African militaries.
The Oshkosh Defense Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) has also been supplied to the Egyptian Army in a $26 million contract, also, the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) variants was exported to Djibouti worth up to $320 million.