Morocco eyes military gains from restored ties with Israel

Israeli air force commander General Tomer Bar is paying his first official visit to Morocco since the two countries restored ties in 2020, followed by similar visits of top army commanders auguring well for defense cooperation as Rabat seeks state-of-art military technology and investments.

The visit features talks with his Moroccan peer General El Abd Bohamid, as well as tours of Morocco’s air force bases with the aim of strengthening cooperation, Israeli media said.

Bar was accompanied by the head of the Israeli Air Force’s training department, a lieutenant colonel, and other commanders.

A month earlier, the two countries armies held their joint annual steering committee in Rabat and agreed to deepen cooperation in line with the goals of the defense pact they signed in 2021, the Israeli defense department said in a statement.

The two countries also agreed to work together on intelligence, cybersecurity, logistics, training and acquisitions. They also convened to collaborate in intelligence and cybersecurity. They “agreed to further strengthen cooperation and expand it to other areas, including in intelligence, air defense, and electronic warfare,” according to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.

Last September, Morocco’s top general El Farouk Belkhir met senior Israeli army commanders. Two months earlier. Israel’s army chief Aviv Kohavi visited Rabat and discussed with Moroccan Royal Armed Forces and the defense administration means to bolster ties.

Morocco is particularly interested in developing defense industries. In November 2021, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding that established a solid security cooperation framework, formalizing defense relations between them with a particular focus on defense industry.

Morocco is keen on reducing its reliance on imports and seeks joint ventures to encourage defense investments after it has approved a law to that end.

In addition to offensive and reconnaissance drones, Morocco is also seeking Israeli Puls rocket launchers to reinforce its artillery, Moroccan media reported.