- Morocco and Israel are intensifying their military cooperation, focusing on defense technology, cybersecurity, and military training.
- High-level meetings in Rabat involved Morocco’s Defence Administration Minister and the Director General of Israel’s Defence Ministry, following directives from King Mohammed VI.
- The partnership has expanded since the Abraham Accords, with formal agreements on arms purchases, intelligence sharing, and joint projects.
- Israel’s participation in Morocco’s Marrakesh air show in 2023 was notable, especially amid international restrictions on Israel due to the Gaza conflict.
The latest discussions took place in Rabat on Monday, where Morocco’s Defence Administration Minister, Abdeltif Loudiyi, met Amir Baram, Director General of Israel’s Defence Ministry. Baram was in the country leading a large Israeli delegation.
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Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces said the meeting followed instructions from King Mohammed VI. It did not, however, disclose when the Israeli delegation arrived or how long it would remain in the country.
Both sides pointed to progress in their military relationship, which has grown to cover several areas, including the protection of sensitive military information, cybersecurity, equipment, and personnel training.
They also discussed ways to expand their cooperation in the defence industry, particularly through the purchase of military equipment and technology and the development of local manufacturing capabilities.
Baram’s visit included another meeting with Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, as reported by the Middle East Monitor.
The meeting was held separately and also followed instructions from King Mohammed VI, who serves as the country’s Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff.
The discussions come as Morocco continues to strengthen its defence ties with Israel, extending a relationship that now covers not only military equipment and training but also technology and the development of domestic defence capabilities.
Last month, it was reported that Defense companies from Israel, including Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems, for the first time since the Abraham Accords were signed, decided to participate in an air show hosted in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The event, which was held between the 7th of October and the 10th, also marked the first time that Israel’s defense ministry debuted an Israeli national pavilion and headed a delegation of Israeli defense industries at the show.
Israel’s participation occurred amid restrictions and reduced participation imposed on Israel by France and several other Western allies following criticism regarding its conduct in the Gaza conflict.
Israel is generally regarded as having the most technologically advanced military in the Middle East, particularly in missile defence, intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, drones and precision-guided weapons.
Morocco’s military relationship with Israel has grown since the two countries normalised relations under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.
Then-President Donald Trump watches as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks after the signing of the Abraham Accords in September, 2020.SAUL LOEB/AFP
The partnership became more formal a year later, when both countries signed a memorandum of understanding covering arms purchases, intelligence sharing and joint military projects.
Their cooperation has continued despite growing competition from other countries seeking a larger role in Morocco’s defence industry, including France.
One of the biggest signs of the relationship’s growth came in 2024, when Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) secured a $1 billion contract linked to Morocco’s space programme.
The satellite is expected to replace older systems supplied by French companies Airbus and Thales, giving Morocco access to a new generation of Israeli surveillance technology.
The Abraham Accords reshaped the Middle East in 2020 by bringing Israel closer to several Arab and Muslim-majority countries after years of limited or no formal relations.
Brokered by the United States, the agreements initially involved the UAE and Bahrain, with Morocco and Sudan later joining the normalisation process.
Beyond diplomacy, the accords opened new channels for trade, investment, tourism, technology and defense cooperation.
Morocco’s relationship with Israel has become particularly significant, with Rabat deepening military and technology ties with Israeli defense companies.
