Morocco has become Israel Aerospace Industries-IAI’s latest customer for the Barak MX medium-range surface-to-air missile system to have begun operational deployment of the advanced air defense system.
The move, underscoring Israel’s growing role as a defense partner in the region, but also comes at a critical time for the Kingdom of Morocco, which continues to face increasingly hostile activity – such as from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other aerial threats from non-state actors and neighboring Algeria.
Over the years, Rabat has held negotiations with different suppliers from several countries to buy medium- and long-range air defense systems, notably the American Patriot system. Other suppliers it contacted included China’s North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO)’s Sky Dragon 50 medium-range surface-to-air missiles, France’s short-range VL Milka missile defense system.
The $500 million deal between IAI and Rabat was signed in 2022, and according to a report in Defense Post, the first system was delivered to Morocco in 2023. A report by Military Africa noted that the system was deployed to the recently constructed air defense base near Sidi Yahya El Gharb, about 60 kilometers from Rabat.
The system was jointly developed in a close collaboration between India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) with the IMOD's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), ELTA Systems Ltd., IAI's group and subsidiary, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and other defense industries.
The Barak MX has been adopted by several countries worldwide such as Thailand, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, Cyprus, along with Israel’s navy and India’s naval, air, and ground forces.
Recognized for its multi-layered and multi-mission design, the Barak MX’s net-centric configuration allows operators to select the most effective engagement method depending on operational needs – a feature IAI says reduces costs and optimizes battlefield efficiency.
The versatile system can fire three types of missiles from the same vertical launcher, including the Barak MRAD for short-to-medium range of up to 35 km., the Barak LRAD of up to 70 km., and the Barak ER, which can reach targets up to 150 km..
Regional and strategic implications
Morocco has had close economic, diplomatic, and military ties for years with Israel, and in 2020, Jerusalem and Rabat reestablished ties under the Abraham Accords, along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan – during US President Donald Trump’s first term.
A year later, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) surrounding arms deals, intelligence cooperation, and joint military projects. The North African kingdom has since signed several deals with Israeli defense companies, among them for IAI’s Barak 8 missile defense system, Elbit System’s ATMOS Howitzer, 20 radars manufactured by ELTA for its F-5e fighter jets, and Elbit’s EXTRA rockets (cost-effective, precise, and with a range of up to 150 km. and an accuracy of 10 m. CEP), among others.
Morocco has significantly increased its defense budget over the past year and the proposed budget for 2026 is said to be around $19 billion. This increase is part of the country’s effort to modernize its military and build a domestic military industry to reduce its reliance on foreign imports.
In September, IAI subsidiary BlueBird Aero Systems expanded its footprint into Morocco with the opening of a factory to produce SpyX loitering munitions – representing the first time such advanced drone technology will be produced locally in North Africa.
The plant in Benslimane, Morocco, will focus on producing SpyX drones, which are lightweight, portable loitering munitions designed for precision strikes.
With an endurance of two hours and a range of 50 km., these drones can carry a variety of warheads of up to 2.5 kilograms and enable tactical teams to detect, confirm and strike targets.