Tel Aviv: The tension between Algeria and Morocco has grown dramatically as the defence cooperation between Morocco and Israel grows. This has brought Morocco to ask for more Israeli made defence systems.
“The tension rises every day a little more between Algeria and Morocco, to the point that we are now talking about war between the two Maghreb countries,” according to a recent report in the Paris-based newspaper L’Opinion.
The news outlet quoted sources close to the Algerian military who said, “Algeria does not want war with Morocco, but it is ready to do so.”
As reported by Raksha Anirveda, Morocco has asked Israel to supply its armed forces with a long list of advanced defence systems. The list included different types of drones , radars, communication system and early warning systems.
Israeli sources confirmed that Israeli companies have been contracted to supply different drones, and build a local capability to manufacture drones. The sources said that Israel and Morocco are in the process of developing a project to produce “suicide” drones in the kingdom.
Sources said that the new agreement will allow Morocco to manufacture armed drones in commercial quantities and at relatively low costs. In addition, the sources added that the production line in Morocco is close to important export markets.
The drone that will be produced in Morocco is intended for attack purposes but it can also carry out intelligence gathering missions. The agreement for the joint project comes after several months of successful negotiations between the Moroccan side and the Israeli company Bluebird Aero Systems. Last year, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) purchased 50 % of Blue Bird’s shares.
Blue Bird develops and manufactures different types of drones for intelligence gathering missions. Since the acquisition of half of the company’s shares by IAI , it is developing new versions of armed drones that are in growing demand.
In recent days Israeli sources confirmed that Morocco is interested in the Elta ELM -2084 radar that is part of the Rafael Iron Dome air defence systems.
Morocco was the fourth Arab state to establish ties with Israel last year after the signing of the Abraham Accords with some Gulf states.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
