Morocco Bolsters Military with Advanced Drone Acquisitions, Emerges as Regional Power

While the use of military drones is not new in Morocco, this military strategy has been strengthened in recent years. After the Israeli drones, Morocco has acquired 13 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, received six more in December, will receive a second batch of six drones in 2022, plans to acquire them from the United States and create an export-oriented industry "as part of the modernization of the FAR arsenal in order to prepare to face any danger and recent hostilities." "Morocco is the first country in the region to have introduced a military drone into its arsenal in the second half of the 1980s," recalls Abdelhamid Harifi, a researcher on defense issues, to TelQuel. Since the experience of the Sahara War (1975-1991, editor’s note), Morocco’s interest in drones has continued to grow, as this very effective tool allows to save human lives and limit the loss of military equipment."

Morocco’s interest in drones is justified by their effectiveness, as these devices have proven themselves in the Nagorno-Karabakh war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. This interest also lies in ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities, but also in attacks against land and maritime targets or to reduce enemy air defense systems, comments Nizar Derdabi, analyst in international strategy, defense and security. According to him, the FAR have integrated the fact that the drone is the breakthrough weapon par excellence in future conflicts. "Thus, in the same anticipatory approach that had allowed Morocco to acquire surveillance satellites in complete confidentiality, the FAR command has invested in advanced military weapons and technologies such as drones long before the other armed forces in the region. This gives them a decisive tactical and strategic advantage," adds Nizar Derdabi.

Morocco’s use of military drones is also justified by the need to deter the ambitions of the Polisario and Algeria. The latter has deployed missiles on the border with the kingdom. "On Morocco’s borders, we have a country that is very well equipped with S-300, S-350E and, soon, S-400 missiles from Russia, as well as air defense systems with Pantsir-S1/SM, Buk-M2 and Tor-M2," lists Abdelhamid Harifi. "This can pose a threat to our aviation in the event of the creation of a no-fly zone. To counter an Algerian attack, Morocco must equip itself with adequate means to face this defense and acquire means to prevent the activation of their deterrent system or to jam it in case these systems are activated," adds the military expert.

With its new military strategy, the kingdom is gradually becoming an emerging military power in the region.