Morocco seeking Israeli cruise missiles to enhance further its defense capability

Morocco is seeking to purchase Israeli cruise missiles “Delilah” to enhance further its multi-layered defense capabilities, according to specialized “Defensa” magazine.

The North African Kingdom has opened negotiations with Israeli Elbit Systems to get the Delilah missiles for its F-5 jets as the country intends to upgrade these supersonic light fighters with advanced sensor systems and jamming systems, data links and a set of modern air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons.

The 250-km range Delilah missiles provide accuracy in deep and surgical strikes against moving, stationary, or repositionable targets. The missile features an advanced electro-optical (E/O) seeker for day, night and all-weather. Its uses include Air-to-Surface (AS) and Surface-to-Surface (SS), targeting ground targets, vehicles and sea vessels, either stationary or moving.

It can be fitted with a variety of warheads which can be targeted on both land and sea targets. It has a turbo jet engine that is able to loiter, allowing it to target well-hidden threats in addition to moving targets. Its maneuverability makes the missile ideal for destroying surface-to-air missile threats.

The on-board autopilot and inertial navigation/global positioning navigation systems (INS/GPS) allow the missile to perform its mission autonomously. Its compact dimensions allow it to be carried by the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60B helicopters.