BEIRUT — The Moroccan army has bought the Israeli counter-drone system Skylock Dome, in line with a Nov. 21 put up on the armed forces’ official Fb web page.
“Some methods have been delivered already, however there isn’t a details about the worth of the deal or the variety of methods which were acquired,” Moroccan army professional Abdel Hamid Harfi informed Protection Information. “The contract doesn’t embody expertise switch for native manufacturing in Morocco.”
He added that these methods disrupt the connection between the flying risk and its path, taking the goal out of service.
“The system is provided with optical and thermal monitoring units and a radar that displays and tracks any suspicious actions. Additionally, the jamming units play their position in neutralizing its hazard,” Harfi mentioned.
The Skylock Dome is developed by Skylock Programs, a subsidiary of Avnon. Emirati agency Worldwide Golden Group displayed the expertise in February through the Worldwide Defence Exhibition and Convention. Emirati firm officers mentioned on the time that the system would bear testing after the IDEX concludes so the United Arab Emirates’ safety providers, land forces and border safety might contemplate procurement.
On the Fb put up, the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces mentioned it has intensified its counter-drone acquisitions towards bettering recognition and neutralization of UAV threats. The put up additionally mentioned the army bought 4 different counter-drone methods, however it’s unclear what they have been.
Harfi mentioned the methods might assist defend important and delicate installations from drones, resembling essential financial, army and authorities installations. “These methods will not be very efficient towards army drones which might be outfitted with digital anti-jamming methods, however they’re very efficient towards drones used to take photos inside delicate locations,” he added.
“For instance, for the reason that return of the armed Polisario towards the dominion, makes an attempt to make use of industrial drones for reconnaissance towards the dominion’s forces stationed behind the safety belt within the Moroccan Sahara have been noticed. The armed forces have been capable of deliver them down utterly, however having a specialised counter-drone system would take away an enormous burden,” he defined.
The Polisario Entrance is a political-military group that goals to finish Moroccan management of the previous Spanish territory of Western Sahara, in northwestern Africa, and acquire independence for that area.
Israeli Protection Minister Benny Gantz additionally visited Morocco on Nov. 24, the place he signed a memorandum of understanding along with his counterpart within the African nation, formalizing protection ties between the 2 international locations that might see improved protection cooperation and intelligence sharing. The go to comes shortly after the Abraham Accords’ one-year anniversary. The diplomatic settlement noticed the normalization of relations between some Arab international locations and Israel.
The go to can also be anticipated to incorporate the signing of a deal that will see the 2 international locations co-produce kamikaze drones, Protection Information beforehand reported.
“Morocco has been utilizing Israeli drones for years for reconnaissance, digital warfare and artillery focusing on. At this time, with normalizing relations between the 2 international locations, the dominion aspires to profit from the Israeli expertise in an effort to exploit the commercial infrastructure for civil aviation that Morocco has outfitted, and to develop it to incorporate the army facet,” Harfi mentioned.
“Israel aspires to be some of the necessary financial companions of the dominion and is able to take a number of steps to attain this purpose.”
Agnes Helou is a Center East correspondent for Protection Information. Her pursuits embody missile protection, cybersecurity, the interoperability of weapons methods and strategic points within the Center East and Gulf area.