Morocco, Israeli firm agree on $500 mln arms deal
Morocco is furthering its ties with the Israeli occupation, purchasing a defense system from "Tel Aviv" to combat "threats" from Algeria.
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The Israeli Barak MX defense system
Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) will be providing Morocco with advanced air defense and anti-missile defense systems, signing a whopping $500 million deal, Israeli media reported Sunday.
IAI is going to sell the Barak MX system, which intercepts all types of aircraft and missiles through surface-to-air (SAM) missiles.
The deal took off with Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz's visit to Morocco in late 2021, Israeli Channel 12 reported Monday.
During his visit, Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation, which paved the way for military sales and cooperation between the two sides.
The defense system that the deal is based upon is a multi-layer defense system that intercepts aerial threats from various sources and ranges in several mission types and battle conditions.
It counters a wide array of aircraft, such as fighters, sea-skimming, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, drones, helicopters, and gliding bombs. Its ranges vary from 35, 70, and 150 km.
Morocco had normalized ties with the Israeli occupation, establishing full diplomatic relations in December 2020, and it came in exchange for the United States recognizing its so-called "sovereignty" over the western Sahara amid tensions with Algeria.
Israeli Channel 12 claimed that Morocco is facing the possible threat of booby-trapped drones from Algeria.
As part of the normalization of ties between Rabat and "Tel Aviv", the Moroccan House of Representatives announced presenting a draft law that agrees on air services between the two, making it the first agreement between the two parties.
"Israel" had launched its first direct flights to Morroco in July 2021.
