A recent report by Military Africa, a website with expertise in African military affairs, has shed light on the drone acquisition trends across the African continent from 1980 to 2024. The findings reveal a significant shift in the regional balance of power, with Morocco emerging as a clear leader in drone ownership within the Maghreb region.
According to the report, Morocco has amassed a formidable drone arsenal, boasting a total of 233 drones.
This impressive number places them firmly in second place across all of Africa, trailing only Egypt with its force of over 260 drones.
This puts Morocco in a clear leadership position compared to other North African countries. Algeria, with its 121 drones, and Tunisia, with around 59 drones, fall considerably behind Morocco’s impressive acquisition rate. Even South Africa, a regional powerhouse, lags behind with less than 100 drones in its possession.
The report further delves into the ownership of drones by the conflicting forces in Libya. The National Unity Government holds approximately 47 drones, while the eastern government maintains a fleet of around 40.
Mauritania holds the least number of drones in the entire Maghreb region, with a meager force of only 4.
Looking beyond the Maghreb, the report reveals a broader picture of drone ownership across the entire African continent. The data indicates that 31 African countries have collectively acquired a total of 1,534 drones since the 1980s.
These drones come in various configurations, with fixed-wing aircraft making up the majority, boasting a total of 1,254 units. Rotary-wing drones follow closely behind with 144 units, while vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing drones round out the list with 136 units.
The report also highlights a fascinating trend in drone ownership across the different regions of Africa. Interestingly, North African countries collectively hold over half (818 drones) of the continent’s total.
West Africa follows this dominance with 338 drones, East Africa with 218 drones, and lastly, Southern Africa with around 160 drones.
China emerges as the leading supplier of drones to African countries. However, Israel plays a significant role for Morocco, supplying the Kingdom with a group of drones specifically chosen for securing its airspace in the strategically important Sahara region.
The United States ranks third as a supplier, followed by Turkey, which counts Nigeria among its key customers.
Morocco primarily relies on fixed-wing aircraft, with approximately 160 Israeli-made drones leading the pack. Additionally, they possess 26 American drones and 19 Turkish drones. This preference for fixed-wing drones is attributed to their ability to cover longer distances compared to other types, offering a significant advantage in patrolling vast areas.
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