Morocco's Naval Enhancement with Advanced Unmanned Vessels
The Dutch government, through its ministries of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, has officially informed the Dutch Parliament of its approval to export military equipment to Morocco. This includes two unmanned surface vessels designed for anti-submarine and mine countermeasure operations, along with a mission control station and various spare parts. According to the official communication, which was reviewed by the Moroccan news outlet Hespress, the total value of this transaction is approximately 13 million euros. The recipient of this equipment will be the Royal Moroccan Navy, tasked with specific missions related to combating submarines and underwater mines.
The document highlights that the assessment of the export request adhered to the eight criteria of the European Union's Common Position on arms exports. It further emphasizes that the Netherlands views Morocco as a strategic security partner in a region marked by instability. Given Morocco's geographical position on the southern border of the European Union, the Netherlands has a vested interest in ensuring a stable and reliable Moroccan state capable of resilience.
Additionally, the report indicates Morocco's significant role in managing and combating irregular migration along the route from West Africa to the Canary Islands, clarifying that the unmanned vessels are not intended for this purpose. The document elaborates that Morocco exerts effective authority in the Sahara region, including through the presence of Moroccan armed forces and naval activities in the territorial waters. Although these activities occur in a region with disputed international status, they do not imply that the exported goods (weapons) will be used for aggression or to bolster territorial claims through force.
Moreover, the request from Morocco pertains to two autonomous unmanned surface vessels aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Moroccan Navy. These vessels are primarily designed for defensive maritime tasks, with any potential armament limited to platform protection and conducting anti-submarine and mine countermeasure operations. The design of these vessels is tailored for specific missions, and utilizing them for alternative purposes would necessitate extensive modifications.
The official document underscores that, considering the stable security situation and the fact that confrontations with the separatist Polisario Movement are limited to mostly minor skirmishes—predominantly of a land-based nature—the likelihood of employing these military assets in that conflict remains low. Notably, the Dutch defense and maritime security sector relies on advanced technologies in the development of unmanned vessels and multi-use technological solutions, supported by leading defense companies such as Damen Shipyards and Thales Netherlands, among others, forming an integrated system producing autonomous naval platforms equipped with state-of-the-art underwater surveillance capabilities.
As reported by hespress.com.
