Morocco has second largest fleet of military drones in Africa

With 223 aircraft in service by 2023, Morocco has the second largest fleet of military UAVs in Africa, after Egypt. In 2025, the Kingdom will further strengthen its military air capabilities with the acquisition of new UAVs, including the Turkish Bayraktar Akinci model, a high-altitude, long-endurance drone.

This acquisition is part of a series of strategic partnerships and confirms Morocco’s ambition to become a major player in the field of military UAVs in Africa.

In recent years, Morocco has considerably expanded its fleet of military UAVs. With 223 UAVs by 2023, it is second only to Egypt, which has 267 aircraft. The African top 3 is completed, according to the African Military Organization, by Nigeria with 177 drones.

The development of this fleet is in line with the modernization of the Royal Armed Forces’ equipment. UAVs such as WanderB and ThunderB, acquired from the Israeli company BlueBird Aero Systems, are used for surveillance and air defense missions. Morocco is also pursuing partnerships with countries such as Turkey and China to acquire the latest generation of UAVs.

Local drone production has also expanded. Aerodrive Engineering Services (AES) has developed the Atlas Eastar I, a fully autonomous drone designed for complex missions. This project could enable Morocco to produce up to 1,000 drones a year, reinforcing its independence in the defense industry.

In 2025, Morocco is set to further strengthen its arsenal with the acquisition of the Turkish Bayraktar Akinci combat drone. This high-altitude drone, designed for surveillance and strike missions, will be a major asset for the Royal Air Forces. The Akinci stands out for its impressive payload capacity of up to 1,500 kg, and its ability to carry precision weapons.

Thanks to its AESA radar, this drone model provides highly accurate target scanning and detection. It will be added to the existing fleet, enabling Morocco to carry out more complex missions with greater range.

Morocco is also set to continue its collaboration with China, by acquiring the Wing Loong X model, an advanced combat drone designed for long-range surveillance and strike missions.

Previewed at the 2023 Paris Air Show in a 1/10th scale model, this advanced version of the Wing Loong series of unmanned combat aerial vehicles was officially presented last November at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai.

These new acquisitions are expected to boost the Kingdom’s strike and border surveillance capabilities, and maintain its position as one of Africa’s leaders in the field of military drones.