New MoU further cements Israel-Morocco defence ties
IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy (left), Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour (centre), and IAI Chairman Amir Peretz (right) after signing a new MoU in Rabat. (Photo: IAI)
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Moroccan trade and industry ministry signed an MoU in Rabat on 23 March ‘to promote dynamic and innovative bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of investment and technology’.
This partnership is part of the implementation of the Joint Declaration between Morocco and Israel signed on 22 December 2020 in Rabat, IAI added in a 23 March statement.
The two countries signed an MoU for defence cooperation and intelligence-sharing in November 2021, and Shephard reported in December 2021 that warmer diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco are likely to result in the sale of advanced defence equipment to the North African country.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that Morocco acquired four Elbit Hermes 900 multi-role MALE UAVs in 2021.
One of the features of the Israel-Morocco MoU is a commitment to share technology. Morocco intends not only to expand its UAV fleet (as shown by two deals this year to buy Bayraktar TB2s) but also to grow its domestic production capabilities via technology transfer.
More from Defence Notes
-
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.
-
UK’s latest defence robotics and autonomy competition looks to break new ground
The UK Ministry of Defence is backing early-stage, high-risk autonomy concepts that could redefine how military systems are developed and deployed.
-
How AI is reshaping defence procurement through sustainment
Artificial intelligence is not just changing how defence equipment is maintained but how defence programmes are won, creating new opportunities for industry by influencing acquisition decisions and shaping competition.