In a significant development, Morocco has become the first country in North Africa to manufacture drones, with the recent successful field test of the SpyX suicide drone. The drone, designed and developed by BlueBird, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is part of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) and marks a major milestone in the country’s defense capabilities, reports Business Insider.
Successful Drone Test
The maiden field test of the SpyX suicide drone was carried out recently in Morocco, as reported by Morocco World News. The footage uploaded to BlueBird’s website confirms that the pilot’s test mission was a resounding success. The drone, which has a range of 35 miles and can be deployed for up to an hour and a half, is designed for reconnaissance and attack missions.
Morocco’s Acquisition of Israeli Drones
According to I24News, Israeli media first reported sightings of these drones in Morocco in June 2023, indicating that the FAR had tested the drones before acquiring them in large quantities. This makes Morocco the first army to use this type of drone following BlueBird’s introduction of them just a few months prior.
In September 2022, Morocco placed an order for 150 WanderB and ThunderB drones, also from BlueBird, as reported by El Español and I24News. Additionally, Morocco requested two Ofek-13 reconnaissance satellites from Israel to enhance its surveillance and intelligence capabilities.
Morocco’s Arms Trade with Israel
A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on the arms trade reveals that Morocco receives a significant portion of its weapons from Israel, with Israel sending 11% of its weapons to the North African country. This presents some complications, given Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza and Morocco’s disapproval of Israel’s actions in the region.
Humanitarian Aid to Palestine
Despite the arms trade with Israel, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI recently ordered the disbursement of emergency humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The aid consists of 30 tons of essential food products and 10 tons of emergency medicines and blankets. However, the Moroccan government has not responded to calls from outraged Moroccan protestors to freeze diplomatic relations with Israel.
Morocco’s acquisition of the SpyX suicide drone and its successful field test mark a significant step forward in the country’s defense capabilities, making it the first drone manufacturer in North Africa. While the arms trade with Israel presents some complications, Morocco continues to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population, demonstrating its commitment to the well-being of those affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.
Photo courtesy of Hespress.
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