Morocco's Growing Role in Israeli Defense Exports
Morocco has firmly established itself as a significant catalyst for the growth of Israeli arms exports to the countries that are signatories of the Abraham Accords. According to recent data released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, these nations collectively accounted for 15% of Israel's defense sales in 2025, a notable increase from the 12% recorded the previous year. This surge underscores the strengthening defense relations between Israel and Morocco, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan, forming a robust network of military collaboration.
The year 2025 proved to be particularly advantageous for the Israeli defense sector, with exports achieving a historic high of $19.2 billion. This figure represents a staggering 30% increase from the $14.8 billion reported in 2024, and more than double the amount recorded five years prior. Official Israeli data indicates that over half of the 2025 sales stemmed from contracts exceeding $100 million, primarily formalized through direct agreements between governments, a growing trend that has become a primary driver of military export growth for the nation.
Strengthening Bilateral Defense Ties
The advancement of Morocco within this market is intricately linked to the enhancement of bilateral defense relations since the official resumption of ties between Rabat and Israel in 2020. In the wake of this renewed partnership, both nations have entered into military cooperation agreements, engaged in technical exchanges, and secured substantial arms acquisition contracts. Various Israeli sources estimate that Moroccan purchases of defense systems, drones, and other military equipment have reached approximately $2 billion since the onset of this new cooperative phase.
As a result of these strengthened ties, Morocco has emerged as one of Israel's most significant defense partners within the Arab world, playing a crucial role in the sustained growth of military exports stemming from the Abraham Accords. The primary category of exports from Israel's defense industry in 2025 comprised air defense systems, missiles, and rockets, which collectively represented 29% of total sales. Following closely were observation and optronic systems at 22%, while drones, radars, and electronic warfare systems each accounted for 11% of the exports.
The Israeli defense export market is dominated by three major companies: Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Elbit Systems, which together represent approximately 85% of international sales in the sector. These companies have amassed an impressive backlog of orders, nearing $90 billion, reflecting a growing international demand amid increasing military spending in Europe, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and rising strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Despite the expanding ties with Abraham Accord nations, Europe remains the primary destination for Israeli military exports, accounting for 36% of international sales, with the Asia-Pacific region following closely at 32%, driven by heightened strategic tensions surrounding China. Israeli authorities attribute part of this commercial success to the interest from numerous countries in acquiring systems that have demonstrated effectiveness in real combat operations. According to officials from the Israeli Ministry of Defense, many clients are seeking equipment whose efficacy has been proven in the field, a factor that continues to bolster the international competitiveness of the country's military industry.
As the cooperation in defense between Israel and various Arab countries continues to expand five years after the signing of the Abraham Accords, Morocco remains a pivotal player in this dynamic, contributing to the consolidation of the Israeli defense industry's presence in North Africa and the broader Arab world.
As reported by infodefensa.com.
