Morocco Bolsters Air Defense with Advanced Global Technologies

At the heart of this system are cutting-edge systems recently acquired or sought after. An agreement was made with Israel in 2022 for the Barak MX system (estimated at $500 million), capable of intercepting various targets, including ballistic ones, up to 150 km, according to Jeune Afrique. Its effectiveness has been reported in previous engagements. Morocco also aims to integrate the American Patriot PAC-3 MSE system, designed to counter ballistic and cruise missiles, and is among the potential customers identified by the United States for this equipment.

These systems complement an arsenal already consisting of equipment with different ranges. As early as 2017, Morocco acquired the Chinese Sky Dragon 50 (about 230 million euros), followed in 2021 by the FD-2000B, also Chinese, for long-range. The French VL Mica system (192 million euros) was delivered in 2022. Other options such as the Israeli Spyder or Iron Dome (whose cost is a factor) are also mentioned, as well as potential collaborations on artificial intelligence with Lockheed Martin. The overall cost of these acquisitions, according to estimates, would be between 1.11 and 1.16 billion euros.

The objective of this capability enhancement, according to the analysis reported by Jeune Afrique, is to allow Morocco to detect, track, and neutralize various aerial threats (missiles, drones, aircraft) via a network of radars, command posts, and firing batteries. It is an approach aimed at both securing airspace and establishing a form of military deterrence in a region deemed unstable, where access to such technologies is considered essential despite their cost and complexity.

This development of Moroccan capabilities comes as Algeria has Russian systems such as the S-300PMU2, Tor-M1/M2, Buk-M2, and Pantsir-S1. The air forces of both countries (notably Moroccan F-16s and Algerian Su-30s) would have similar capabilities.