Morocco has brought its Barak MX air and missile defense system into operational service following its acquisition under a 2022 foreign military sales agreement with Israel, according to Israeli media reports.
The activation was confirmed through satellite-detected electronic signatures, indicating that the system has recently become operational within Moroccan territory.
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Barak MX offers a layered air defense capability designed to counter drones, aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats at ranges of up to 150 kilometers.
Morocco began receiving system components in 2023, reflecting a rapid integration process supported by close defense cooperation between Rabat and Tel Aviv.
Sources characterized the deployment as an “Iron Dome of the desert,” underscoring its role in strengthening airspace security, particularly over southern regions and the Sahara.
The system’s activation aligns with heightened regional concerns over the proliferation of drones and loitering munitions in recent conflicts.
Analysts have also linked the move to potential threats from non-state actors, including the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which has previously employed unmanned aerial systems.
Beyond system deployment, Morocco–Israel defense cooperation has expanded into industrial collaboration. In November, BlueBird Aero Systems opened a production facility in Benslimane for its SpyX loitering munitions, marking Israel’s first defense manufacturing footprint in North Africa.
