AI, robotics to take centre stage in Morocco’s African Lion military drills

RABAT –

Morocco will host the 22nd edition of the African Lion military exercises from April 20 to May 8, with the United States announcing that this year’s drills will, for the first time, incorporate artificial intelligence, robotics and next-generation warfare technologies directly into field operations.

The exercises will feature a dynamic innovation and experimentation centre, described as an open-air laboratory embedded within the manoeuvres, allowing troops and commanders to test AI systems, autonomous weapons and advanced digital technologies under realistic operational conditions, from frontline soldiers to command centres, assessing decision-making, data transmission and inter-unit coordination in near-real-time scenarios.

The US military highlighted that this approach marks a shift from purely theoretical demonstrations to the practical integration of cutting-edge capabilities within joint multinational operations.

Technology companies will work alongside military planners to ensure that new systems are tailored to operational requirements, bridging the gap between innovation and practical deployment.

Analysts say Morocco’s selection as a host for these trials carries profound strategic significance, reflecting Washington’s trust in the kingdom’s political stability, disciplined armed forces and intelligence capabilities.

The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces confirmed that the exercises will take place in Agadir, Tan-Tan, Taroudant, Kenitra and Benguerir, aiming to improve interoperability between participating nations, strengthen operational readiness and test joint capabilities. Over 40,000 troops have taken part in previous editions, making African Lion one of the largest annual military exercises in Africa.

The 2026 iteration also seeks to accelerate the transition of emerging technologies from experimental testing to operational use, reflecting the growing role of information dominance, AI-assisted decision-making and rapid coordination between battlefield units and command centres in modern warfare.

This comes amid deepening US-Morocco military cooperation. In October, Morocco’s Delegate Minister for Defence Administration Abdellatif met AFRICOM leadership in Rabat to discuss joint operational readiness, industrial defence development and capacity-building programmes. The exercises build on the 2020 ten-year US-Morocco Defence Cooperation Agreement, which has strengthened ties through joint drills, arms procurement and intelligence sharing.

Military observers note that African Lion 2026 is more than a training exercise. It is a strategic demonstration of Morocco’s reliability and centrality in regional security, while also signalling Washington’s commitment to maintaining influence in Africa in the face of growing Russian and Chinese presence.

By integrating Morocco into next-generation military operations, the United States is both consolidating trust with a key partner and projecting its advanced capabilities in a region of increasing strategic importance. Lessons learned from these exercises are expected to shape the deployment of AI, robotics and autonomous technologies in multinational operations worldwide.