Morocco expands military capabilities with Chinese TB-001K combat drone

Monday 10 February 2025 - 16:00

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco expands military capabilities with Chinese TB-001K combat drone

The Moroccan military has acquired the Chinese-manufactured TB-001K drone, known as the "Twin-Tailed Scorpion," strengthening its aerial defense capabilities and diversifying its international defense partnerships.

The TB-001K, produced by Sichuan Tengden, features impressive technical specifications including a 1.5-ton payload capacity, 8,000-kilometer range, and 40-hour flight endurance. Operating at altitudes up to 10,000 meters, the drone performs both reconnaissance and attack missions at a unit cost of approximately $280,000.

Built with lightweight composite materials, the drone's dual-engine and twin-tail design enhances stability and precision. Morocco's drone fleet has effectively neutralized Polisario separatist infiltrations in the Sahara region, maintaining control over buffer zones.

This acquisition builds upon existing defense collaboration between Morocco and China, following previous purchases of Wing Loong 2 drones and various defense systems including the Sky Dragon 50 air defense system and AR2 multiple rocket launchers.

Morocco, ranked 59th in global military power, maintains a force of 395,800 personnel with a $13.4 billion military budget. The country operates 260 military aircraft, including 83 combat aircraft and 78 helicopters, alongside 903 battle tanks and 7,877 vehicles.

The purchase aligns with Morocco's strategy to reduce dependence on Western suppliers while maintaining diverse defense partnerships, exemplified by recent acquisitions of Turkish-made Akıncı and Bayraktar TB2 drones. The country is also in discussions with Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation regarding potential L-15 Falcon fighter aircraft procurement to modernize its aging Alpha jet fleet.