Morocco has stepped up its military modernization, placing emphasis on unmanned systems and air defense assets, including drones capable of offensive actions. The Moroccan Air Force is testing and deploying this technology in real-world contexts, notably in Western Sahara, where the operations are tied to a broader dispute with the Polisario Front.
In November 2020, Rabat disclosed an operation at the Guerguerat border crossing, which led the Sahrawi movement to end its ceasefire, marking a new phase in the sovereignty conflict over Western Sahara. Reports circulated about clashes and casualties on both sides and among civilians. Early in the following year, Sahara Press Service claimed that the Polisario Front National Guard chief, Addah Al-Bandir, had been killed in an airstrike ordered by Rabat, though no official confirmation followed. If true, it would represent the Moroccan army’s first drone strike in the Western Sahara engagement in nearly fifty years.
The Polisario Front responded by reinforcing its own capabilities, including cooperation with Iran to deploy kamikaze drones, also described as suicide planes, to the battlefield. Rabat warned that control of Iranian drones would be met with a substantial response at the military level, signaling a shift in the balance of power if necessary.
Significance for Ukraine
In October, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita accused Tehran of sponsoring terrorism in Western Sahara, a charge that Iran has not fully denied. Interior officials from the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic suggested that their forces might soon use armed drones to push back Moroccan forces stationed in Western Sahara.
Armed drones have been a strategic element in the broader conflict in Ukraine, where Kyiv has relied on unmanned systems to counter the Russian invasion. Morocco is among the countries adopting or expanding drone capabilities in the region, with experience drawn from various theaters of operation.
Morocco has formalized deals to acquire unmanned systems from Turkey, China, Israel, and the United States, and it aspires to develop a domestic prototype model. These efforts are supported by broader cooperation with Israel and by financial assistance reported from Gulf monarchies.
As a result, Morocco has positioned itself as a leading force in drone technology within Africa, even as it faces local concerns over drone usage. Some provincial authorities in Spain have questioned the reliability of such systems, arguing they can cause unintended casualties if targets are misidentified. The adoption of a drone‑centric doctrine, linked in part to counterterrorism lessons from past conflicts, continues to generate debate about legal and ethical limits in modern air warfare.
Distribution in the Canary Islands
The Spanish military is expanding its capacity to operate unmanned aircraft, introducing models such as the MQ-9 Predator B for surveillance over regional and national waters. This large drone is stationed at Lanzarote and at Talavera la Real in Badajoz, home to the 23rd Wing of the Air Force. While primarily used for defensive monitoring and recognizing unidentified aircraft, it has not been employed with weapons in recent missions.
Spain also hosts Seeker III, a drone model that integrates Israeli technology in its latest updates. These systems have supported intelligence and reconnaissance in international missions, remaining absent from armed engagement.
In this narrative, Morocco has not only strengthened its military posture but also expanded its diplomatic reach within the European Union, notably after shifts in Spain’s Western Sahara policy. Prominent Spanish figures have publicly supported Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the Sahara region, while European discussions have highlighted Morocco as a significant partner in trade, fisheries, counter‑terrorism cooperation, and efforts to manage migration flows and maritime borders. Allegations of influence campaigns and political maneuvering have also circulated in relation to wider geopolitical issues in Europe.