Morocco has reportedly brought Turkish-made Akinci combat drones into operational service, according to a recent report by the defense-focused platform Defensa, which cited satellite imagery showing the aircraft at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces’ Sixth Air Base in Ben Guerir.
The report said the images indicate that the drones, manufactured by Turkish defense company Baykar, were delivered to Morocco in early 2025 and are now operating alongside the country’s fleet of Bayraktar TB2 drones.
According to the publication, the base appears to host the infrastructure necessary to operate both systems, including ground-control stations, communications equipment and logistical support facilities.
The reported deployment marks a new stage in defense cooperation between Morocco and Turkey and forms part of Rabat’s broader efforts to modernize its military capabilities and expand its unmanned aerial warfare capacity.
The report traced Morocco’s drone acquisition program to 2021, when the kingdom began receiving its first Bayraktar TB2 systems. Initial deliveries reportedly entered operational service at Ben Guerir in September of that year.
Morocco is now believed to possess more than 20 TB2 drones after placing additional orders beyond an initial purchase of 13 units, according to the report.
Satellite imagery also reportedly identified mobile ground-control stations dedicated to managing both TB2 and Akinci operations.
Defensa highlighted the Akinci’s ability to engage both ground and aerial targets as one of the platform’s most significant advancements.
Unlike earlier drone systems primarily designed for surveillance and ground strikes, the Akinci could provide Morocco with expanded air-defense and counter-drone capabilities, potentially altering the operational role of unmanned systems within the armed forces.
The report noted that future upgrades could include integration of the Turkish-developed AESA radar system known as Murad 100-A, produced by Aselsan. Such equipment would enable the drone to detect and engage aerial, maritime and ground targets at greater ranges.
The publication also referred to potential compatibility with Turkish air-to-air missiles, including the Bozdogan and Gokdogan systems, although no indication was provided that Morocco has acquired those weapons.
According to the report, the Akinci can remain airborne for up to 24 hours and operate at altitudes exceeding 12,000 meters. It can reportedly carry payloads of up to 1.5 metric tons, including precision-guided munitions and long-range strike weapons.
The drone is considered one of Turkey’s most advanced unmanned combat aircraft and has been exported to several countries in recent years.
The report also pointed to expanding industrial cooperation between Morocco and Turkey, including plans for a joint defense-industrial platform in the Ben Slimane area in partnership with Baykar.
Such initiatives are intended to strengthen Morocco’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
Defensa concluded that integrating the Akinci into Morocco’s armed forces could enhance surveillance and security operations, particularly along the kingdom’s southern borders, while reinforcing its broader military modernization strategy amid evolving regional security dynamics.
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