Morocco continues to modernise its military capabilities with the upcoming acquisition – expected in February 2025 – of Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı combat drones, manufactured by the Baykar company.
Following the purchase of 19 Bayraktar TB2 UAVs in 2021, the Kingdom is now betting on a more advanced model to expand its aerial and strategic capabilities. The Bayraktar Akıncı represents a technological breakthrough over its predecessor, the TB2. This new acquisition is part of an overall strategy to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the Royal Armed Forces (RAF).
As Hespress points out, this drone, equipped with sophisticated artificial intelligence, is designed to carry out complex operations in both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions. With an impressive 20-metre wingspan and a payload capacity of 1,500 kg, the Akıncı can carry a wide variety of munitions, including precision-guided missiles, making it a considerable asset for surveillance and strike missions.
Morocco continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining technological superiority in the face of the challenges and threats facing the region. The Akıncı’s advanced surveillance capabilities will offer the ARF a significant advantage in terms of intelligence gathering and pre-emptive response. Furthermore, by strengthening its defence potential, the Kingdom positions itself as a key player in the region.
In this regard, it is worth mentioning that the integration of Bayraktar Akıncı into Morocco’s arsenal could have a profound impact on the balance of forces in North Africa. Increasing the ARF’s offensive and surveillance capabilities could potentially reorient military strategies in the region, in particular by raising concerns among the Kingdom’s neighbours, such as Algeria. This could lead to an arms race and increase military tensions, a scenario that Rabat seeks to avoid through diplomacy.
It is therefore essential that this military modernisation be accompanied by a proactive diplomatic approach. Presenting the Akıncı as an instrument of national defence and security, rather than a military provocation, could help defuse any tensions. So far, Morocco has managed to maintain a subtle balance between military modernisation and diplomatic stability, and this new acquisition should be part of that continuity.
Moreover, the introduction of Bayraktar Akıncı drones into the FRA’s arsenal also represents an important asset in the fight against terrorism. Equipped with advanced detection and precision technologies, these drones will enable Morocco to effectively monitor and neutralise potential threats, especially in the most critical areas. The reconnaissance operations and precise strikes that the Akıncı can carry out reinforce the FRA’s rapid intervention capabilities, ensuring greater security within national borders.
Moroccan media also note that the use of these high-tech UAVs will provide Morocco with the ability to monitor large and difficult-to-access areas, minimising risks to human forces while increasing the effectiveness of military operations. The versatility of the Akıncı makes this aircraft a central element in the security and defence posture against any form of asymmetric threat.
Finally, this new acquisition also contributes to protecting Morocco’s sovereignty, especially with regard to the defence of its southern provinces against regional tensions, which require adequate deterrents. With these drones, the Kingdom not only strengthens its surveillance and control capabilities, but also sends a clear message about its determination to preserve the integrity of its borders.
The use of Akıncı drones, combined with a coherent defence strategy, enables the Kingdom to respond more effectively to the potential threats of terrorism and separatism, while ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. This acquisition also demonstrates once again Morocco’s commitment to strengthening its military capabilities while preserving regional peace and stability.
