By Defence Circle/Images:Capt. Jordan Beagle
The United States and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have commenced preparations for African Lion 2027, the largest multinational military exercise on the African continent. The initial planning event, hosted by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and Morocco’s Forces Armées Royales (FAR), took place at Southern Zone headquarters in Agadir, Morocco.
African Lion 2027 aims to strengthen interoperability, improve military readiness and enhance the ability of participating forces to conduct combined and joint operations in support of regional stability. More than 45 nations are expected to participate in the exercise, which will cover land, maritime, air, space, cyber and intelligence domains.
The initial planning event brought together US and Moroccan military planners over five days to establish objectives, develop timelines and identify potential training locations. Working groups also examined organisational structures, logistical requirements and opportunities to incorporate emerging technologies into the exercise.
The planning process will continue with a main planning event scheduled for December 2026, followed by a final planning event in February 2027. The exercise is scheduled to commence on 19 April 2027.
“This initial planning event is where we begin laying the groundwork for African Lion 2027,” said US Army Colonel Benjamin Roark, Director of Training and Exercises within SETAF-AF’s G7 section. He explained that the event provides an opportunity for participating teams to share perspectives, review lessons from previous editions and establish the objectives for the upcoming exercise.
A central focus of African Lion 2027 will be the development of combined joint force readiness and the ability of multinational forces to deploy and operate together. The exercise is intended to strengthen coordination between partner nations while providing opportunities to assess operational procedures and integrate new capabilities into realistic training environments.
“African Lion remains focused on building combined joint force readiness,” said US Army Lieutenant Colonel Corbett Baxter, branch chief and lead planner for African Lion within SETAF-AF’s G7 section. He added that the exercise enables multinational partners to prepare for situations requiring them to deploy and operate as a coordinated force.
The 2027 exercise is expected to feature a broad range of military activities, including combined-arms manoeuvres, live-fire exercises, maritime operations and air operations. A command field exercise (CFX) is planned as a central component, bringing together command structures and operational personnel to practise coordinating complex multinational activities.
Planners are also examining ways to incorporate industry partners into the exercise design and execution phases. The proposed approach would provide opportunities to demonstrate emerging technologies and evaluate equipment alongside military units in operationally relevant scenarios.
Potential training activities under consideration include weapons of mass destruction response training in Agadir, special operations training at Cap Draa and humanitarian civic assistance projects at various locations. These activities remain subject to further planning, site surveys and the development of operational and logistical requirements.
Beyond field-based training, African Lion 2027 will include an academic programme designed to strengthen professional knowledge and staff capabilities. Courses being considered include joint operations planning, intelligence operations, cybersecurity, electronic warfare and noncommissioned officer development. These activities are intended to complement practical training by improving the doctrinal understanding and planning skills required for joint operations.
The exercise will continue to emphasise bilateral and multilateral military partnerships while providing a platform for participating nations to improve cooperation across multiple operational domains. Industry participation and technology demonstrations are also expected to contribute to the exercise’s broader focus on capability development and innovation.
African Lion 2027 will take place during the 250th anniversary of Morocco’s recognition of the United States as an independent nation, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries. The anniversary provides an additional context for the continued development of their defence cooperation and military engagement.
As planning progresses towards April 2027, the participating nations will refine the exercise’s objectives, training scenarios and logistical arrangements. The event is expected to provide a major multinational training opportunity, bringing together military forces from across Africa and beyond to develop readiness, strengthen interoperability and improve their ability to operate together in complex operational environments.