Spain Maps the Cities Morocco’s Future Missiles Could Reach
Seville, Murcia, Ciudad Real and the Canary Islands could come within range of Moroccan missiles. According to the Israeli press, Rabat is negotiating to acquire the LORA ballistic missile system, capable of precision strikes over several hundred kilometers. The prospect is causing concern in Spain.
How far could Morocco’s future military missiles strike? Well beyond its borders, according to the Spanish daily El Español, which on Wednesday, October 14, raised the possibility that they could reach several major Spanish cities. Behind the concern are advanced negotiations between Morocco and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to buy LORA ballistic missiles, whose range is estimated at several hundred kilometers.
On Bladi.net : The United States prepares to deliver 10 HIMARS to Morocco in 2027
The information comes from the Israeli business daily Calcalist, which reported on October 8 that talks were underway between Rabat and the manufacturer. Defense industry sources describe the negotiations as “serious and at a very advanced stage.” The potential contract value remains unknown, as does the number of missiles the Royal Armed Forces could acquire.
The talks took on particular significance during the Marrakech Air Show, held from October 7 to 10. For the first time, eight Israeli defense companies took part in the military event in Morocco. IAI presented its LORA missile there, the very system at the center of negotiations with Rabat.
Seville, Murcia and Ciudad Real within range
It is the weapon’s range that has caught the attention of the Spanish press. The manufacturer officially gives a firing range of between 90 and 430 kilometers, while some estimates cited by Calcalist and El Español put it at up to 500 kilometers. Depending on where it is deployed and the missile’s configuration, parts of southern and central Spain, as well as the Canary Islands, could lie within its range.
The LORA can carry a 400- to 600-kilogram warhead and strike with a stated accuracy of around ten meters. It can be launched from mobile land platforms or military ships. Unlike air-defense systems, which are designed to intercept threats, this missile can strike ground targets over long distances.
On Bladi.net : Morocco’s Israeli Arms Purchases Extend to Drones and Strike Capabilities
A potential acquisition would strengthen the offensive capabilities Morocco is developing with Israeli equipment. The Royal Armed Forces already have PULS rocket launchers and Barak MX air-defense systems. The ten US HIMARS launchers now under contract would further expand this arsenal. According to Calcalist, the LORA negotiations are primarily part of the military rivalry with Algeria, which is also continuing to modernize its equipment.
For Madrid, attention is now focused on the geographical range of these new weapons. El Español notes that cities such as Seville, Murcia and Ciudad Real could theoretically fall within their range.
