Morocco has officially welcomed its inaugural shipment of Bayraktar Akinci drones from Turkey, marking a pivotal development in the enhancement of military capabilities for the Royal Moroccan Air Force. This advance comes as part of an agreement reportedly established in 2023, underscoring the deepening ties between Morocco and Turkey in the defense sector.
The confirmation of this milestone was made by Forum FAR Maroc, a semi-official military platform based in Rabat. Although the specific quantity of Akinci drones delivered has not been disclosed, the achievement represents a significant leap towards operationalizing these advanced aerial systems within the Moroccan military framework.
Reports from local media in November 2024 anticipated the arrival of the first Bayraktar Akinci drones, signaling Morocco’s proactive stance in modernizing its aerial defense capabilities.
The Bayraktar Akinci, developed by the Turkish aerospace firm Baykar, is engineered for versatile missions encompassing precision strikes, surveillance, and command-and-control operations. This drone boasts remarkable specifications, including a maximum altitude capacity of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and an impressive endurance of up to 20 hours in flight. Furthermore, it can achieve speeds reaching 250 knots (approximately 463 kilometers or 287 miles per hour) and has a substantial operational range of 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles).
A distinguishing characteristic of the Akinci is its sophisticated dual artificial intelligence-enabled avionics. This technology enables advanced signal processing, sensor fusion, and real-time situational awareness, enhancing the drone’s mission effectiveness. The Akinci is also equipped to carry an array of munitions, including the Cirit missile, Bozok mini smart munitions, MK-83 guided bombs, and Gokdogan or Bozdogan air-to-air missiles.
Morocco’s newfound capability with the Akinci drones follows its earlier acquisition of 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones in a deal valued at approximately $70 million. These TB2 drones have been deployed in several batches, with the latest shipment arriving just last month. Such procurement activities are representative of an overarching strategy to bolster defense collaboration between Rabat and Ankara, which now encompasses areas like electronic systems, smart technological solutions, and unmanned aerial platforms.
The delivery of the Akinci drones positions Morocco as an emerging player in the drone warfare arena, while simultaneously reinforcing the strategic partnership with Turkey, signaling a forward-looking approach to national security and military modernization.
