Morocco buys two advanced military reconnaissance satellites from Israel

Africa, Middle East, News August 16, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Morocco has signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to buy two of its advanced military reconnaissance satellites at an estimated cost of $1 billion. Under the contract, IAI would deliver two Ofek 13 spy satellites to Morocco within five years.

Morocco plans to use the new satellites for Morocco’s existing Airbus and Thales space-based surveillance systems. Once delivered, the satellites are expected to bolster the African nation’s intelligence-gathering capabilities amid increasing geopolitical tensions. The new Israeli satellite is set to replace the Mohammed VI-A satellite, which was launched in 2017.

The previous satellite, designed to provide “strong surveillance for the country’s borders and coasts and to manage natural disasters,” was produced by France’s Thales Alenia Space and Airbus, under a $555 million contract signed between Rabat and Paris in 2013.

In December, a French media outlet speculated that Rabat’s decision to replace French companies with Israeli ones stemmed from an ongoing crisis between Rabat and Paris, as well as a strained relationship between the Moroccan monarch and the French president.

A year after normalizing ties, Israel and Morocco signed a defense pact in 2021, covering intelligence and cooperation in military industries and procurement.

Despite public opposition, a Moroccan foreign ministry confirmed in March that Rabat’s normalization with Israel continues, highlighting its “benefits” in advocating for the Palestinian people and securing humanitarian aid for Gaza.

*^{Illustration image of orbiting satellite in space. (Image Credit: AI-Generated Image by IRIA)}*

The National Front Against Normalization, a political movement opposing Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel, has also called on parliament to question the country’s foreign minister, Nasser Bourita, regarding the “intentions” behind ongoing trips by influencers and students from Rabat to Tel Aviv.

Ofek 13 spy satellite

The Ofek 13 is a state-of-the-art Israeli electro-optical reconnaissance satellite launched on March 28, 2023. The launch was carried out using a Shavit rocket from Palmachim Airbase in Israel. With a weight of approximately 300 kilograms, the satellite is positioned in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of around 600 kilometers.

Ofek 13 is equipped with advanced imaging technology, providing high-resolution Earth observation capabilities, crucial for detailed surveillance and intelligence gathering. The satellite also features a lightweight propulsion system, enabling precise adjustments to its orbit as needed.

Operated by the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Ofek 13 plays a vital role in Israel’s national security and defense strategy. It is primarily used to monitor strategic areas of interest in the Middle East, focusing on neighboring countries and conflict zones.

The satellite enhances Israel’s ability to conduct continuous surveillance, offering critical data for military and intelligence operations. By providing real-time, high-resolution imagery, Ofek 13 significantly bolsters its user’s capacity to track developments in sensitive regions, ensuring a robust national defense posture.