Morocco Seeks Advanced Drones and Stealth Tech to Modernize Air Force

Drones, precision weapons, stealth technologies... Morocco is strengthening its relations and developing contacts with defense companies to modernize its air capabilities, reports the specialized site Defense News. In the eyes of Moroccan officials, the use of drones in combat is "a key element of their military modernization efforts," says Samuel Ramani, a defense expert at the University of Oxford. "The United States has been the most instrumental in encouraging Morocco’s access to stealth weapons, particularly American drones, precision-guided munitions, and laser-guided munitions," he added.

"Morocco’s arms purchases in 2020 complement other efforts to strengthen modernization and interoperability. More specifically, in 2019, Morocco acquired 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters (24 new, 12 optional), more than 2,400 BGM-71-4B-RF TOW 2A (missiles) to increase its integrated defense capabilities, 25 F-16C/D Block 72 fighters with additional air-to-ground munitions, in addition to support to improve the integration of systems and the maintenance of the fighters," said Aram Nerguizian of the "Center for Strategic and International Studies" think tank, adding that the emphasis has logically been on improving air-to-ground attacks and coordination with ground forces.

Morocco was about to sign an agreement with the Trump administration for the acquisition of four MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones last December, followed by the purchase of 12 medium-altitude, long-endurance Bayraktar TB2 drones from the Turkish company Baykar in a $70 million deal, Reuters reported. "The United States and Turkey are working together to strengthen Morocco’s stealth capabilities, as 12 Bayraktar TB2 drones will soon arrive in Morocco," said Samuel Ramani.

"The Moroccan military strategy is based on the diversification of foreign arms sources," also noted Moroccan military and security affairs expert Mohammad Shkeir. "Although the United States is Morocco’s main arms supplier, this has not prevented it from acquiring the weapons it needs from European countries: the acquisition of the [Mohammed VI] intelligence satellite from France, and the purchase of frigates from Belgium and Italy, and negotiations are also underway to acquire naval frigates from Italy," he added.