An Israeli defense company has deepened its footprint in North Africa with the launch of a suicide drone production facility in Morocco, the first large-scale plant of its kind in the region. The factory, located in Benslimane near Casablanca, will manufacture SpyX loitering munitions — drones capable of autonomous precision strikes with a 2.5kg warhead, speeds of up to 250 km/h, and flight endurance of 90 minutes Business Insider Africa The Jerusalem Post Globes.
The project is part of Morocco’s broader push to modernize its military and strengthen local defense manufacturing. Reports indicate that Moroccan engineers and technicians will receive training from Israeli experts, fostering skills for future defense projects and ensuring technology transfer.
The facility represents a significant milestone in Israel-Morocco defense cooperation, which has grown since the normalization of diplomatic ties under the Abraham Accords. Analysts say the move positions Morocco as a regional hub for advanced drone technology, while also signaling Israel’s intent to expand its defense industry influence beyond the Middle East.
However, the inauguration has sparked debate across Africa and the Arab world. Critics warn that the proliferation of suicide drones — also known as loitering munitions or “kamikaze drones” — could destabilize the region, given their use in conflicts such as Ukraine and Gaza. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the potential for misuse, while military strategists argue the facility could shift the balance of power in North Africa.
For Morocco, the plant underscores its ambition to reduce reliance on foreign arms imports by building a sovereign defense industry. For Israel, it represents both a commercial expansion and a geopolitical foothold in Africa.
