Tel Aviv: Now this is a fact- the Abraham accords and the Russian invasion into Ukraine gave a huge boost to the Israeli defence industries. Morocco re-established relations with Israel as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords in late 2020, and since the relations between the two countries have been upgraded.
Tensions between Morocco and Algeria have recently increased, making an armed conflict a very likely development. The escalation stems from a dispute over the status of Western Sahara, where Morocco’s sovereignty claims seem to have gained international recognition. Morocco needs advanced weapon systems and the new reactions with Israel opened some very lucrative options for Rabbat.
In February, Israel and Morocco concluded a $500 million deal to provide the kingdom with the Barak MX air and missile defence system manufactured by Israel aerospace industries (IAI). Morocco also purchased the Skylock Dome anti-drone system from Israel in 2021.
Barak-MX is a modular air defence system and is designed to address missile and aircraft threats. It operates both in marine platforms and land, and belongs to the Barak missile family. The deal with the Israeli company is part of Morocco’s effort to get advanced weapon systems to be better ready for the conflict with neighbouring Algeria. The chief of staff of the Israeli defence forces (IDF) Lt. General Aviv Cochavi visited Morocco in July. During this visit the Moroccans emphasized their great interest in the Israeli systems.
After the initial agreement between Israel and Morocco has been signed, the Moroccans have submitted a long list of Israeli made military systems they want to acquire from Israeli companies. After purchasing 150 eVTOL drones made by Israeli company Bluebird, Morocco is evaluating more types of Israeli made unmanned air systems. The deal included two types – the WanderB and the ThunderB. Now Morocco is evaluating more types. The variety of UAV types has grown after Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI ) acquired 50 % of Bluebird. The first contract includes performing some of the production in Morocco.
Morocco has asked Israel to supply its armed forces with a long list of advanced defence systems. The list includes different types of UAV’s , radars, communication system and early warning systems. According to sources, the new agreement signed with Morocco this country to manufacture intelligence gathering and 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 first Moroccan requests were for relatively basic systems aimed mainly at getting intelligence data. Israeli sources say that now the Moroccans are asking for more “aggressive” type of systems, and that brought the American intervention. Some of the drones that will be produced in Morocco are intended for attack purposes but it can also carry out intelligence gathering missions.
Morocco was the fourth Arab state to establish ties with Israel last year after the signing of the Abraham Accords with some Gulf states. Israeli sources confirmed that Morocco is interested in the ELTA ELM -2084 radar that is part of the Rafael Iron Dome air defence systems. The ELM-2084 Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) detects high and low flying targets, tracks, classifies and generates a real-time Air Situation Picture of all aerial targets such as low Radar Cross Section platforms .
Some weeks ago the Israeli military censors lifted a gag order that was in place for 20 years and prohibited to reveal that Israel is using UAVs that launch missiles. Immediately after the gag order was removed, some countries including Morocco have indicated their interest in these combat proven systems. The removal of the gag order is a result of armed UAVs used by the Ukrainians. These are supplied by Turkey.
Now Russia that is lagging behind with the development of armed UAVs has requested Iran to supply its armed forces with Iranian made armed UAVs. Israeli source say that the Israeli armed UAV’s are very advanced and have proven their capabilities in combat. The types that have been exposed as missile carrying are the Hermes-450 and Hermes-900 made by Elbit Systems and the Heron TP made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). No details have been released on the missiles these UAVs carry but sources say that there are some different types according to mission.
-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
