Israeli drone production facility advances in Morocco

Last April, the CEO of the Israeli weapons company BlueBird Aero Systems announced plans to build a drone production plant in Morocco. Eight months later, construction has begun, with Israeli experts present in the Kingdom to oversee operations. However, the installation of this unit has been slowed by the Israeli war on Gaza. The drones produced are intended for the Moroccan market and export, particularly to Africa.

Even before resuming relations with Israel on December 10, 2020, Morocco had ambitions to join the ranks of arms manufacturers. In November 2023, the Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, Abdellatif Loudyi, presented to Parliament plans to develop a national military industry focused on producing drones.

The military cooperation agreement signed between Morocco and Israel on November 24, 2021, in Rabat, included provisions for establishing a military industry in the Kingdom with Israeli support. Additionally, on September 27, in Rabat, the National Defense Administration and the Indian company Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed a strategic partnership to manufacture the WhAP 8x8 ground combat vehicle in Morocco.