Morocco to Deploy Advanced Drones for Border Security and Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Morocco plans to purchase 26 advanced drones to fight drug trafficking, human trafficking and irregular immigration, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) announced in its annual report. These drones will be very useful for the kingdom, which is facing growing challenges at its borders, which serve as a gateway between Africa and Europe. Smuggling and trafficking networks pose a constant threat. The drones will allow the security forces to patrol more quickly and effectively in remote and hard-to-access areas, the DGSN said.

In November 2021, during the visit of former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to Morocco, the two countries had signed a framework agreement in the military and security field, which provides, among other things, for cooperation between intelligence services, the development of industrial links, the purchase of weapons and joint training. The Israeli company BlueBird Aero Systems, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which manufactures some of Israel’s most advanced drones and missile defense systems, will soon launch its drone manufacturing plant in Morocco.

This year, Morocco has acquired Israeli kamikaze drones. The kingdom also plans to buy an Israeli spy satellite from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for an amount of one billion dollars. IAI will provide the Ofek 13 spy satellite, which will replace two Airbus and Thales satellites. It is an observation satellite with a synthetic aperture radar and is equipped with very advanced capabilities. It is the most advanced of its kind, with unique radar surveillance capabilities. Known for its intelligence and security capabilities, the Ofek-13 satellite has an accuracy of up to 0.5 meters. Built for the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), it was launched on March 29, 2023, from the Palmachim Air Force Base in Israel using a Shavit-2 rocket.