Morocco Starts Deployment of Israeli Barak MX Defense System
Morocco has activated its Barak MX air and missile defense system purchased as part of a foreign military sale with Tel Aviv in 2022, according to Israeli media.
The outlets verified the fielding with satellite-detected electronic signatures, indicating the system recently became operational in the North African country.
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Barak MX provides a multi-layered shield capable of intercepting drones, aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats at ranges of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles).
Rabat started receiving the weapon system’s components in 2023, reflecting rapid integration backed by the ongoing cooperation between the government and Israel.
Sources confirming the milestone described Morocco’s new capability as an “Iron Dome of the desert,” highlighting the solution’s role in tightening airspace control, particularly over southern regions and the Sahara.
The timing of its activation coincides with growing regional concern over the spread of drones and loitering munitions in recent conflicts.
Analysts also linked the move to threats posed by non-state actors, including the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which has previously employed unmanned aerial systems.
Israeli Plant in Morocco
Beyond arms deployment, the partnership between Morocco and Israel has expanded into local production.
Last November, Israeli manufacturer BlueBird Aero Systemsinaugurated a factory in Benslimane dedicated to its SpyX kamikaze drones.
The site marks the first Israeli defense manufacturing presence in North Africa, signaling Tel Aviv’s expansion beyond domestic defense industrial capacity.
