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Morocco Expands Drone Arsenal Amid Defense Industry Modernization

Sunday 05 January 2025 - 15:45 By: Dakir Madiha

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Morocco has taken another significant step toward enhancing its defense capabilities with the confirmed delivery of Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkish defense firm Baykartech. The delivery, revealed by the company, underscores Morocco's ongoing efforts to modernize its military systems. While Moroccan authorities have not formally acknowledged the move, it reflects the country’s strategic focus on bolstering its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) arsenal to address regional security challenges.

This latest shipment follows a prior delivery of Bayraktar TB2 drones in September 2021, further solidifying the North African nation's growing reliance on advanced drone technology. Morocco's military upgrades are particularly notable against the backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding the Western Sahara dispute. The Polisario Front, a separatist group supported by Algeria, has been a persistent source of regional instability. In response, Morocco has increasingly turned to UAVs to monitor and secure its southern provinces, countering incursions into the buffer zone.

Since 2020, Morocco has sought to diversify its drone suppliers, acquiring military UAVs from Israel and China in addition to Turkey. In 2022, the country purchased 150 WanderB and ThunderB drones from Israel’s BlueBird Aero Systems. The following year, Morocco added Chinese Wing Loong II drones to its fleet. These acquisitions are part of a broader strategy to enhance the nation’s defense capabilities, ensuring its readiness to address both conventional and unconventional threats.

Beyond procurement, Morocco is making strides toward building a domestic defense industry. The government allocated MAD 120.7 billion (approximately $12 billion) from its 2024 budget to the Ministry of Defense, signaling a strong commitment to military development. Partnerships with leading global defense companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon are laying the groundwork for local production, marking a shift from reliance on imports to self-sufficiency.

This focus on defense modernization aligns with Morocco’s overarching goal of achieving strategic independence and safeguarding national security. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and fostering domestic production, the country is not only addressing immediate security challenges but also positioning itself as a key player in the regional defense landscape.