The Moroccan Royal Navy is poised to significantly enhance its maritime capabilities with the introduction of two advanced unmanned and highly autonomous military surface vessels. This development comes following the Dutch government's approval to export the system to Morocco in a deal valued at €13 million, focusing primarily on anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures. This strategic acquisition will bolster Morocco's specialized capabilities, which have been somewhat limited within its naval fleet.
An official memorandum from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed to the parliament, outlines that the agreement includes two vessels equipped for the specific missions of anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures, along with their operational payloads, additional components, a mission control station, spare parts, as well as the necessary technical documentation, training, and technology for operational support.
According to the same document, these vessels are designed to conduct missions lasting several days with a high degree of autonomy. The complete integration of systems will take place in the Netherlands before the equipment is shipped to the Moroccan Royal Navy.
While the Dutch authorities have not disclosed the name of the manufacturing company, the model of the vessels, or the specific nature of all sensor systems, it is understood that some details are considered confidential commercial and military information.
The military significance of this deal is particularly pronounced in addressing a gap within Morocco's naval defense system. The Dutch evaluation indicates that Morocco already possesses anti-submarine capabilities primarily relying on large surface vessels equipped with sonar systems and a limited number of anti-submarine helicopters fitted with dipping sonar. However, Morocco's specialized capabilities in mine countermeasures have been relatively limited.
The introduction of these new vessels will add an additional layer of defense for port entrances, coastal approaches, and maritime routes against threats from beneath the surface, whether they be submarines or naval mines. Unmanned platforms allow for the deployment of sensors into potentially mined areas without risking a crewed ship and its personnel, while also lowering the costs of long-term monitoring missions compared to the continuous use of large frigates.
The anti-submarine capability also takes on special importance given the maritime environment surrounding Morocco. Algeria, which has strained diplomatic relations with Rabat, operates six Russian-made submarines from the 'Kilo' class, including four from project 636 and two older models from project 877, giving its navy one of the most formidable undersea warfare capabilities in Africa.
On the northern shore, Spain is also modernizing its submarine force with the advanced 'S-80' series. The 'S-81 Isaac Peral' has entered service, while the 'S-82 Narciso Monturiol' was undergoing sea trials in August. The Spanish Navy asserts that these submarines possess advanced capabilities in stealth, reconnaissance, intelligence, and naval warfare, and are capable of deploying torpedoes, missiles, and mines.
Thus, the value of this deal lies not in the size or price of the vessels, but rather in the operational functions they will add to the Royal Navy. This will facilitate more secure and continuous monitoring of the underwater domain, searching for mines and submerged threats, and securing vital port entrances and maritime corridors in a time when modern naval warfare increasingly trends toward unmanned systems and undersea combat.
As reported by assahifa.com.
