Morocco's military strategy focuses on acquiring advanced weaponry, especially in the aviation sector. According to a report by two think tanks, this effort must be complemented by modernizing the kingdom's naval capabilities and strengthening the protection of its digital borders. A recent study by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation and the Moroccan think tank Global Governance & Sovereignty Foundation analyzed the quality of weaponry acquired by Morocco. The report highlights that the «biggest rival is Morocco's immediate neighbor Algeria, which ranks third globally in military spending-to-GDP ratio behind only Ukraine and Israel». In response to this threat to its territorial integrity, the kingdom has adopted a «deliberate transition toward high-tech, interoperablesystems to ensure territorial integrity», notably acquiring AH-64 Apache helicopters, drones, artillery, and missile defense systems. Alongside facing an Algerian military budget expected to reach $23 billion by 2025, Rabat must also counter «separatist activities in the South, supported by external actors», which demands «surveillance and rapid-response capabilities tailored to the terrain». In April 2021, the Royal Armed Forces ordered 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones for around $70 million, later adding six more in a follow-up contract. These combat drones are «ideal for monitoring separatist movements and border threats». Towards a Sovereign Defense Industry The report notes that Morocco received «its first batch of Bayraktar Akinci drones, with reports indicating an order of an undisclosed number as part of an agreement signed in 2023». These purchases from international suppliers—including the US, Israel, Turkey, and China—are complemented by efforts to develop a domestic military industry. Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, producer of the TB2 and Akinci drones, announced plans to open a maintenance and production facility in Morocco in early 2025. This followed the signing of a partnership on September 27, 2024, between the National Defense Administration and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to locally produce the WhAP 8x8 land combat vehicle. Recent acquisitions underscore Morocco's commitment to advanced capabilities, especially in artillery. The Israeli Atmos 2000, a 155mm howitzer with a range of up to 41 kilometers, offers rapid deployment and high mobility, making it well-suited for Morocco's desert terrain. This complements the 36 Caesar howitzers purchased from France in 2022. The report also highlights the Royal Armed Forces' «managing supplier diversity», stressing the importance of avoiding overreliance on a single partner to maintain resilience amid shifting global alliances that could threaten access to critical technologies. However, international partnerships alone aren't enough to build a sovereign defense industry. «Morocco still faces gaps in advanced manufacturing capabilities and skilled labor», the report warns. «Producing components locally for systems like Caesar artillery or Patriot PAC-3 requires precision engineering expertise, an area where Morocco is still developing capacity. To bridge these gaps, Morocco must invest in a broader vision of a sovereign defense industry, requiring specialized programs to train engineers and technicians and establish innovation hubs in industrial zones, aligning with its vision of industrial autonomy». Developing Morocco's Naval Capabilities These acquisitions enable Morocco «to play a central role in regional stability and international security cooperation, aligning with its long-term vision of leadership and sovereignty». Beyond cutting-edge weaponry, «Morocco's diplomatic neutrality enables it to facilitate dialogue between conflicting Sahel blocs». The kingdom also plays a «vital role in securing the maritime space, particularly with regard to transatlantic security and the Strait of Gibraltar», the report adds. Achieving this requires significant investment in naval capabilities. «Morocco must prioritize future investments in naval assets, such as acquiring multi-purpose frigates with anti-submarine and air defense capabilities, and develop a maritime strategy», the report emphasizes. Since the early years of King Mohammed VI's reign, Morocco has positioned itself as a key player in securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar—evidenced by the Tangier-Med port, the inauguration of the Tangier Maritime Traffic Surveillance Center in December 2011, and the construction of the Ksar Sghir naval base. In the coming months, the Royal Navy will be further strengthened with the delivery of a new patrol vessel ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia. Addressing Gaps in Cybersecurity The report also calls on Morocco to bolster «its naval capabilities and developing expertise in hybrid warfare, particularly in cyber operations, to fill gaps in its defense architecture and counter emerging challenges. Cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, necessitates a robust cyber army. Morocco could establish a dedicated cyber command, leveraging its capabilities with a growing technology sector, to train specialists in cyber operations». «Collaborating with key allies like NATO could accelerate this development, enabling Morocco to counter disinformation campaigns, protect its digital borders, and respond to adversarial destabilization attempts», the think tanks recommend.
