Morocco has officially selected Israel’s Elbit Systems as its primary weapons supplier, signing a deal to purchase 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery systems. The decision follows ongoing tensions between the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) and French defense company KNDS, which previously supplied Morocco’s artillery.
According to the French newspaper La Tribune, Morocco experienced repeated technical failures with KNDS’s Caesar artillery systems, which were ordered in 2020 and partially received in 2022. “Morocco quickly complained to the French group about recurring problems with the artillery systems that were supplied,” the report stated. Rabat found KNDS’s response slow, and some of the weapons remained non-operational, prompting a shift to Israeli arms manufacturers.
The new agreement strengthens Israel’s role as Morocco’s third-largest weapons supplier, accounting for 11 percent of the kingdom’s total arms imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The deal further expands Israel’s defense presence in Morocco and solidifies Elbit Systems as a key partner.
Expanding Defense Cooperation with Israel
Since Morocco and Israel normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, their military and economic cooperation has significantly deepened. The Accords, brokered by the United States under then-President Donald Trump, also saw Washington recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed region where Morocco has clashed with the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi independence movement.
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Beyond artillery, Morocco has previously secured major arms deals with Israeli firms, including the acquisition of the Barak 8 missile defense system, Hermes drones, and a satellite intelligence system. In 2023, Rabat signed a $1 billion agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to obtain a spy satellite, further bolstering its surveillance capabilities.
Elbit Systems, known for supplying Israel’s military with advanced weapons, markets its products as “battle-tested,” as they have been used in combat against Palestinians. British newspaper Morning Star has reported that Elbit’s drones, missiles, and combat vehicles have been deployed in Israeli military operations. The new Moroccan arms deal highlights Israel’s growing defense exports, even amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
Economic Ties Flourish Despite Regional Tensions
Despite the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, Morocco and Israel’s economic and military cooperation has continued to strengthen. In 2023, trade between the two countries more than doubled, rising from $56.2 million in 2022 to $116.7 million. This marked the fastest trade growth among the Arab nations that normalized ties with Israel, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan.
However, Morocco’s strengthening ties with Israel do not imply unconditional political alignment. Rabat has previously criticized Israeli policies and recently rejected a controversial proposal by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Morocco’s leadership labeled the plan a “dangerous precedent” that violates international law.
According to Israeli media, Morocco is one of several countries being considered for the resettlement of displaced Palestinians, alongside Egypt, Jordan, Somalia, and Puntland, an autonomous region in northern Somalia. Rabat’s rejection of the plan aligns with positions taken by other Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia.
Western Sahara and the Future of Morocco-Israel Relations
While Morocco’s alliance with Israel has brought military and economic advantages, it has also drawn scrutiny, particularly regarding its use of Israeli weapons in Western Sahara. In March 2024, the French daily L’Humanité published an investigation accusing Morocco of using Israeli-made arms to kill dozens of civilians, including children, in the disputed region.
The Polisario Front continues to push for a UN-recommended referendum on self-determination, clashing with Moroccan forces. Israel’s support for Morocco’s territorial claims over Western Sahara has helped cement defense ties between the two nations. However, regional instability and Morocco’s balancing act between diplomacy and military expansion could impact the long-term trajectory of this partnership.
As Morocco recalibrates its defense strategy, the kingdom’s growing reliance on Israeli weaponry underscores a broader shift in its foreign and military policy. While the transition from French to Israeli arms suppliers reflects concerns over reliability, it also signals Morocco’s deeper integration into the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and North Africa.