Budget 2026: Why the National Defense Budget Is Being Increased

The draft budget law for 2026, submitted to Parliament, underscores two key shifts in national defense: higher annual allocations and expanded commitment authorizations, paving the way for multi-year contracts of significant scale.

The actual annual defense budget is precisely calculated at 79 billion MAD

Our military consultant Abdelhamid Harifi stresses the importance of distinguishing the annual budget from multi‑year commitments. “Claiming that the defense budget amounts to 157 billion MAD is inaccurate and reflects a careless reading of the text,” he cautions. In his analysis, the actual 2026 budget is approximately 79 billion MAD, broken down as follows:

• 47 billion MAD for personnel expenses, up from the previous 45 billion MAD, to cover salary increases granted by King Mohammed VI to all members of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). 
• 11.5 billion MAD for acquisition, maintenance, and development of the defense industry, an increase of 700 million MAD, the first in more than a decade.
• Nearly 13 billion MAD for equipment investment, compared to 11 billion MAD in 2025.

• Smaller management budgets, such as participation in UN missions, not exceeding 250 million MAD.

157 billion MAD in commitment authorizations to advance defense modernization

The most striking figure, 157 billion MAD, represents commitment authorizations, an increase of 23 billion MAD (or 17%). "This is not a budget, but a long-term planning envelope," the expert explains. It enables Defense to enter contracts for programs spanning several fiscal years, such as those covering 2026-2027, while securing adequate and staggered financing.

This windfall is justified by the launch or acceleration of several strategic projects. Abdelhamid Harifi highlights the acquisition of new C-390 transport planes, H-225M Caracal transport helicopters, the renewal of royal Navy patrol boats, and the development of the domestic defense industry, including drone projects such as investment in BlueBird Aero Systems. Modernization also continues with the procurement of fighter jets, armored vehicles, air-defense systems, and ground-to-ground artillery.

A context of massive recruitment driven by the 2030 World Cup and social priorities

This military buildup is not coming at the expense of social priorities, our consultant notes. The draft budget law provides for large-scale recruitment in the public sector. The Ministry of the Interior will benefit from 13,000 new positions to honor commitments made to FIFA for securing the 2030 World Cup. The Ministry of Health is allocated 8,000 positions - a record number - to support the opening of new university and regional hospitals.

The Royal Armed Forces will recruit 5,500 personnel. As Harifi highlights, most will be assigned to the Royal Gendarmerie to reinforce the security apparatus for the World Cup, while also replacing retirees and equipping new border units.

In conclusion, Abdelhamid Harifi stresses that "we are facing major projects that justify this increase." The budget rise responds to multiple factors: the need to modernize equipment to meet new regional security requirements, adaptation to rising prices, and obligations linked to organizing the World Cup, all while maintaining focus on key "social state" priorities such as health, education, and social justice.