IRIA News

4 minute read

Morocco has placed an order to acquire Bayraktar Akinci drones to bolster its aerial defense capabilities. The state-of-the-art latest model of the Akinci drones will arrive in Morocco starting in February next year.

This new acquisition of advanced drones builds on Morocco’s earlier commitment to UAV modernization and expansion, following a significant 2021 contract for Bayraktar TB2 combat drones, which has already brought Turkish UAVs into Morocco’s defense arsenal.

In 2021, Morocco signed a $70 million deal to procure 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones. The deal covered the drones as well as additional infrastructure, including remote control ground stations and simulation systems for operator training.

The Bayraktar Akinci drones represent a substantial upgrade in Morocco’s UAV fleet, offering greater capability and endurance compared to the Bayraktar TB2 model. The Akinci, which was launched as a high-performance UAV model by Baykar, comes with several enhanced features that place it among the most advanced drones in the world.

Measuring 20 meters in wingspan, 12.3 meters in length, and 4.1 meters in height, the Akinci is a sizeable aircraft. It boasts a maximum take-off weight of 6,000 kilograms and is engineered to carry payloads of up to 1,500 kilograms. This payload capacity significantly exceeds that of the TB2, making the Akinci capable of carrying a variety of weapons and sensors for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Powering the Akinci are dual turboprop engines, allowing it to reach impressive speeds with a cruising rate of 277 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of 361 kilometers per hour. The UAV can also stay airborne for over 24 hours, an essential feature for long-endurance surveillance and combat missions.

Equipped with a dual satellite communication system, the Akinci can operate effectively at extended distances and has advanced communication capabilities, enabling Moroccan forces to control the drone from afar.

Morocco’s military modernization plan

The Akinci acquisition represents a significant step forward for Morocco’s armed forces. The drone’s sophisticated design and endurance are likely to contribute to Morocco’s regional influence, as the country seeks to enhance its military prowess and reinforce security capabilities. While the exact number of Akinci drones being delivered remains undisclosed, the potential they bring to Morocco’s defense strategy is apparent.

The move to upgrade Morocco’s UAV fleet is also in line with the country’s broader national security goals. Morocco, like other countries in the region, has been expanding its military spending in recent years. This focus includes modernizing its air and ground capabilities to address emerging threats and adapting to the evolving technological landscape of warfare. The procurement of the Akinci drones reflects Morocco’s commitment to deploying advanced aerial systems that support both intelligence-gathering and direct-action capabilities.

In addition to its growing inventory of foreign-manufactured drones, Morocco has recently shown increased ambition in fostering a domestic drone manufacturing sector. This strategy aligns with Rabat’s objectives to reduce reliance on foreign arms and to become a regional leader in defense technology.

Earlier this month, Portuguese unmanned aerial systems provider Tekever entered a partnership with Morocco’s Droneway, a local drone development firm, to support Morocco’s domestic UAV production efforts. This collaboration aims to enhance Morocco’s technical capacity through comprehensive training, assembly, and operational logistics, helping the country develop the necessary infrastructure and expertise to sustain an indigenous drone industry.

Furthermore, Moroccan Aerodrive Engineering Services, a key player in the local defense sector, announced in October the successful test of the Atlas Istar, Morocco’s first domestically designed UAV. The Atlas Istar test marked a historic milestone for the kingdom, demonstrating its readiness to create and test UAVs tailored to the specific defense and security needs of Morocco. The Atlas Istar test also underscores Morocco’s intent to cultivate a domestic UAV industry capable of producing UAVs with both surveillance and combat functionalities.

Morocco has outlined a defense budget increase for 2024, pushing planned military spending of $13 billion. This hike is one of the largest in recent years and suggests Morocco’s commitment to further enhancing its military readiness and technological autonomy.

The expanded budget will support not only acquisitions like the Akinci but also the growth of domestic industries that contribute to the kingdom’s self-sufficiency in defense. A portion of the new budget is likely to go towards R&D in fields such as UAV development, as well as expanded training for Moroccan forces in the use of these advanced technologies.