Israel establishes permanent defense presence in Morocco as military ties grow
Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram's visit included plans to inaugurate Israel's first permanent Defense Attaché Office in Rabat. The move comes amid expanding cooperation in arms procurement, military training, cybersecurity and defense manufacturing.
Israeli Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram met senior Moroccan military and government officials in Rabat over recent days, where discussions focused on military procurement, cybersecurity and the development of a domestic defense industry. The visit follows a series of major Israeli arms deals and growing cooperation between the two countries.
Israel and Morocco are seeking to deepen their defense relationship, with discussions increasingly focused not only on the sale of Israeli weapons but also on building military manufacturing capabilities inside the North African kingdom.
The latest step came this week, when a delegation led by Israel Ministry of Defense Director General Amir Baram visited Rabat for meetings with senior Moroccan defense officials. The discussions covered military equipment procurement, defense technology, cybersecurity, training and the development of a Moroccan defense industrial base.
Baram met Abdeltif Loudyi, Morocco’s minister delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, as well as Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. The meetings were held under the instructions of King Mohammed VI, according to the Moroccan authorities.
The visit reflects the growing institutional depth of a relationship that has developed considerably since the two countries restored diplomatic relations in 2020 and signed a defense cooperation memorandum in November 2021. That agreement established a framework for cooperation in areas including intelligence and information sharing, military training and logistical support, paving the way for a succession of Israeli defense sales and industrial partnerships.
One of the most significant developments is Morocco’s effort to build its own defense manufacturing capabilities, with Israeli companies increasingly involved in projects that go beyond supplying finished systems. During the meetings in Rabat, both sides highlighted progress in defense procurement and industrial cooperation, and discussed ways to establish a domestic defense industrial base and expand cybersecurity collaboration.
The shift is already visible on the ground. In October, CTech reported that Moroccan Military Industry (MMI) plans to begin delivering armored-vehicle turrets to the Moroccan army in March 2027. The turrets are intended for 8x8 vehicles assembled locally by India's Tata. MMI is also developing an anti-drone system and is establishing another manufacturing facility near Rabat.
Israeli companies have already secured a substantial position in the Moroccan market. Israel Aerospace Industries sold Morocco its Barak MX air-defense system in a deal valued at approximately $500 million. Morocco has also acquired drones from IAI and Elbit Systems, including the Heron 1, Hermes 450 and Hermes 900, as well as artillery systems and rocket launchers from Elbit.
A separate satellite agreement has emerged as one of the largest reported transactions between the two countries. IAI disclosed a contract worth approximately $1 billion in 2024 with an unnamed customer, which CTech has reported was for a Moroccan intelligence satellite intended to replace the kingdom's existing French-built satellites.
More recently, Calcalist reported that IAI was in advanced negotiations to sell its LORA ballistic missile system to Morocco. The potential deal, whose value has not been disclosed, would further expand the country's long-range precision-strike capabilities amid its military rivalry with neighboring Algeria.
The commercial relationship was also on public display last month at the Marrakech Air Show, where Israel opened its first official national pavilion at a defense exhibition in Morocco. The delegation included eight Israeli defense companies, alongside the country's three largest defense contractors, Elbit Systems, IAI and Rafael. Their displays included loitering munitions, autonomous systems, drones, precision weapons and satellite technologies.
The relationship also extends to military contacts. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces have developed ties that include joint training in several fields, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry. Baram's delegation included IDF representatives, and the two sides reaffirmed their intention to continue implementing cooperation plans through the Joint Military Commission, which serves as a framework for coordination and identifying new areas of collaboration.
During the visit, Baram is also scheduled to inaugurate the permanent premises of Israel's Defense Attaché Office in Rabat, headed by Colonel Sharon Itach, the first permanent Israeli defense attaché to Morocco. The establishment of a permanent office gives the relationship a more formal military presence and an institutional channel for continued cooperation.
"Morocco is not just another defense partner. It is much more than that," Baram said. "Over the years, we have built a strong relationship founded on trust, mutual respect, Jewish heritage, and deep historical ties between our peoples. We intend to continue advancing the relationship between our countries to new heights."
