The Kingdom of Morocco has begun operational use of the BARAK MX multi-layer air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Morocco added the BARAK MX air defense system to its inventory within the framework of security cooperation that gained momentum following the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020. As also stated in a report published by IsraelDefense, the first systems delivered in 2023 have been integrated into the Moroccan Armed Forces’ defense doctrine and are actively deployed in the field.
Multi-Layered Defense Capability
The BARAK MX system, produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), provides protection against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats at ranges of up to 150 kilometers. Thanks to its modular structure, the system establishes a multi-layered defense line against threats at different altitudes and ranges.
“Desert Iron Dome” and Regional Security
The deployment of the system is concentrated particularly in Morocco’s southern regions and in the Sahara Desert. Described by local sources as the “Desert Iron Dome,” this step is considered a response to attacks carried out by non-state actors in the region using UAVs and guided weapons. In particular, UAV activities in the Western Sahara region by the separatist Polisario Front, operating via neighboring Algeria, stand out as a key factor in the system’s deployment strategy.
Morocco–Israel Defense Cooperation Deepens
Defense ties between Israel and Morocco continue to expand through technology transfer and local production projects. Last November, BlueBird Aero Systems, a subsidiary of IAI, opened a factory in the city of Benslimane, Morocco, to produce SPY X kamikaze UAVs. This facility aims not only to meet the operational needs of the Moroccan military but also to elevate the technological partnership between the two countries to a more advanced level.
Source: C4Defence/IAI
