The rivalry between Morocco and Algeria is undergoing an unprecedented strategic acceleration. Rabat is diversifying its military partners toward Central Europe, while Algiers is deploying Chinese electronic warfare systems and Russian fighter jets along its border.
The Israeli group Elbit Systems has signed a $277 million contract to supply 30 mm turrets to Morocco. The agreement provides for the delivery of firing systems and ammunition over a period of three years.
The Atlas Défense company, a subsidiary of Turkish manufacturer Baykar , has begun recruiting Moroccan executives for its Benslimane plant. This industrial complex will handle the maintenance and production of combat drones for the Royal Armed Forces.
Morocco will launch, starting next April, the local production of suicide drones within an industrial unit located in Benslimane, near Casablanca. This project, carried by the Israeli group BlueBird Aero Systems, materializes the military and technological cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.
A few days before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) is deploying major resources. Drones, thousands of cameras and specialized brigades: Morocco is putting in place an unprecedented security system to secure the competition.
Morocco is taking a new decisive step in its military sovereignty strategy. After inaugurating at the beginning of the fall an armored vehicle factory in partnership with India, the Kingdom is preparing to launch local drone production, thanks to an Israeli technology transfer.
The project of an Israeli drone factory in Morocco is entering a concrete phase. Officers from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) are currently being trained at the headquarters of the company BlueBird Aero Systems in Israel, confirming a technology transfer for the local production of a kamikaze drone.
Morocco plans to acquire Harpy and Harop suicide drones, capable of waiting for targets up to 1,000 km, for an estimated amount of $120 million.
A high-ranking military official of the Polisario Front was reportedly killed during a targeted operation conducted by a Moroccan drone near the Mahbès area.
Morocco’s air defense strategy relies on a multi-layered architecture integrating technologies from China, France, Israel, and the United States. This approach, developed over more than a decade, aims to provide the kingdom with advanced capabilities to respond to perceived threats in the region and ensure the protection of its airspace.
The intensive training received by Malian soldiers in charge of piloting Malian armed drones in Morocco is causing concern in Algeria.
Morocco has received the first batch of Akinci combat drones, specifically manufactured for its armed forces by the Turkish company Baykar.