In a recent analysis of military capabilities in North Africa, it has been revealed that Morocco possesses a total of 279 military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), positioning it firmly in second place within the region, while Egypt leads the pack with 313 UAVs, and Algeria lags behind with 128 UAVs. This competitive landscape underscores the strategic importance of UAV technology in modern warfare, particularly as nations seek to enhance their surveillance and combat capabilities.
Morocco has emerged as a significant player in the investment of high-end UAVs, focusing on systems that can operate at medium and high altitudes with extended flight durations. These advanced drones serve a multitude of purposes, including strategic reconnaissance, border surveillance, intelligence gathering, and precise long-range strike capabilities. The Moroccan military's recent acquisitions have included cutting-edge UAV models such as the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, the American MQ-9B SeaGuardian, and several attack and reconnaissance drones manufactured by Israel, reflecting a robust commitment to enhancing its aerial capabilities.
This rapid expansion of Morocco's UAV fleet comes against a backdrop of increasing military competition with Algeria. While Morocco is channeling its resources heavily into unmanned aerial systems, Algeria has made substantial investments in manned military aircraft, including the Su-30MKA, Su-34, and Su-57. These contrasting strategies highlight the differing approaches each country is taking toward military modernization, yet both nations ultimately aim to bolster their combat capabilities and deterrence in the North African region.
Previously, in March 2026, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published a report indicating a 12% increase in Morocco's arms imports between 2021 and 2025 compared to the 2016–2020 period. This increase has propelled Morocco to 28th place globally among arms importers, contributing 1% to total global arms imports. In terms of sources for these arms, the United States has emerged as Morocco's largest supplier during the 2021–2025 period, holding a substantial market share of 60%. Israel and France follow, accounting for 24% and 10%, respectively.
Conversely, Algeria, which was once the largest arms importer on the continent, has drastically reduced its arms imports by 78% over the past five years, resulting in a drop to 33rd place globally. Russia remains Algeria's primary arms supplier with a market share of 39%, followed by China at 27% and Germany at 18%. SIPRI suggests that the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria are significant factors driving both nations to bolster their military procurements in recent years.
As reported by baoquocte.vn.
As reported by vietnam.vn.
