Exclusive : From drones to missiles: How Israel is reshaping Morocco’s military

Between 2020 and 2025, Morocco has significantly expanded its defense ties with Israel, making it Israel’s third-largest arms customer by 2023. 

Despite the Gaza war and heightened criticism of Israel across parts of the Arab world, Rabat’s cooperation has not only endured but deepened. This resilience suggests that Israel’s strategic foothold in the region remains largely unaffected by its ongoing conflicts.

Key Shifts in Defense Procurement

• United States (64%): Continues to dominate Morocco’s defense market with missile defense systems, drones, and electronic warfare.

• France (15%): Once a cornerstone partner, its role is declining as Israeli systems increasingly replace French artillery platforms.

• Israel (11%): A rising supplier, delivering high-value UAVs, missile defense, and artillery systems, positioning itself as an indispensable partner.

• Other suppliers (10%): Minor contributions from diversified sources.

This shift illustrates Morocco’s pragmatic diversification of suppliers and its willingness to integrate advanced Israeli technology into its arsenal.

Major Arms Deals Timeline

• 2020: Delivery of Heron UAVs for surveillance in Western Sahara (~$48M).

• 2022: Barak MX air and missile defense system (~$500M).

• 2023: PULS MLRS package (~$150M), including EXTRA guided rockets.

• 2024 (Planned): Ofek-13 spy satellite (~$1B) from Israel Aerospace Industries.

• Feb 2025: Acquisition of 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled howitzers, replacing French Caesar systems.

• 2025 (Trials): EXTRA missile testing near the Algerian border.

Local Production and Technology Transfer

• BlueBird (IAI): Joint production of Wander-B, Thunder-B, and SpyX drones in Morocco, with technology transfer provisions.

• Elbit (Casablanca): Planned UAV and loitering munitions factories to strengthen Morocco’s domestic defense industry.

This industrial cooperation ensures Morocco’s long-term defense autonomy while embedding Israeli firms in its defense infrastructure.

Strategic Implications

1. Durability Amid Conflict

Despite the Gaza war, Morocco has pressed ahead with Israeli arms deals. This underscores a wider regional reality: condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza has not translated into a rollback of strategic partnerships. Israel’s defense sector retains its appeal as a provider of cutting-edge technology.

2. Erosion of French Influence

France’s historical role as Morocco’s key defense partner is visibly eroding. Israeli systems are not just supplementary—they are replacing French platforms outright.

3. Israeli Regional Resilience

Far from being diplomatically isolated, Israel has consolidated its position in North Africa. Military-industrial ties, especially those involving local production, act as a buffer against political volatility.

4. Regional Security Dynamics

These developments will likely heighten Algerian security concerns, especially given the testing of Israeli-made guided missiles near its border. Morocco’s growing capabilities, coupled with Israeli support, shift the regional balance further westward.

The Morocco–Israel partnership exemplifies how security imperatives often outweigh political symbolism. While the Gaza war has strained Israel’s image in parts of the Arab and Muslim world, its regional standing—measured in terms of hard security cooperation—remains intact. 

For Morocco, the calculus is clear: access to advanced Israeli defense technology outweighs the risks of political backlash.