US and Morocco Gear Up for AI-Driven Military Exercises in Africa

The United States and Morocco participated in the African Lion 2026 (AL26) military exercises near Tan-Tan in Morocco on Friday. AL26 is the 22nd edition of the largest annual multinational joint military exercise on the African continent, with a focus on integrating advanced technologies.

This year drill features unprecedented emphasis on AI-enabled platforms, autonomous systems, and advanced robotics. The 2026 edition also serves as a strategic demonstration of the 10-year US-Morocco defense cooperation agreement signed in 2020, solidifying Morocco's role as a key security partner in North Africa.