Military drones for Morocco: the Netherlands examined the risk of their use in the Sahara

The Netherlands scrutinized the potential use by the Royal Navy of the two autonomous military vessels purchased for 13 million euros. Particular attention was paid to the Sahara and the possibility that this equipment could be used in that part of Morocco.

This analysis appears in a letter from the Dutch government addressed to the Tweede Kamer, dated July 13. The document details the reasons that led The Hague to issue the export license to a Dutch company.

The Dutch authorities recall that Morocco effectively exercises authority over a large part of Western Sahara and that the Royal Armed Forces are present there. They also mention activities by the Royal Navy in the territory’s waters.

On Bladi.net : Morocco Navy Drones Track Submarines 13M Euro Deal

But for The Hague, this presence does not in itself constitute an indication that the two autonomous vessels will be used to “impose territorial claims by force.”

The Polisario taken into account in the assessment

The Dutch government also examined the clashes with the Polisario Front. It considers that the remaining confrontations are limited to minor skirmishes inland and do not involve any genuine maritime component.

This is one of the arguments put forward to conclude that using this equipment in the conflict is unlikely. The Hague also highlights the absence of a maritime conflict between states or competing territorial claims at sea that could increase the risk associated with this export.

The very characteristics of the two drones weighed in this decision. They are primarily designed for defensive missions to combat submarines and naval mines. Their configuration is so specialized that, according to the Dutch authorities, using them for other missions would require significant technical modifications.

Any potential installation of weapons would not change this assessment: the government specifies that they would be intended to protect the platforms and carry out their anti-submarine and mine-countermeasure missions, not to give them a general offensive capability.

The document also presents The Hague’s political assessment of the Kingdom. Morocco is described as a “stable and strategic security partner” in an unstable region. The Netherlands considers it to be in its interest to have a stable and reliable Morocco on the European Union’s southern border.

According to the Dutch government, the Kingdom plays an important role in combating irregular migration along the route linking West Africa to the Canary Islands. The letter nevertheless specifies that the two naval drones are not suited to this type of mission.

On Bladi.net : Morocco Seeks First Submarines, Sparking Naval Race with Algeria

The Royal Navy is to use this new equipment to improve its submarine-detection and mine-neutralization capabilities. Morocco already has vessels equipped with sonar and is simultaneously seeking to close its submarine capability gap.

After examining eight European criteria applicable to arms exports, including the one relating to regional stability, the Dutch government ultimately concluded that there was no clear risk that these two drones would be used for external aggression or to impose territorial claims by force.