Israel, Morocco agree $500m defence missile deal

Israel and Morocco have agreed a $500 million deal that will see Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) supply the African country with the Barak MX air and missile defense system, Globes reported yesterday.

Morocco, the Globes said, initially made enquiries about Israel providing these and other systems when Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Gantz visited the country in November.

During his visit, Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) about defence collaboration between the two countries, the site added.

Reporting defence sources, the Globes said that Morocco spoke with Israel about its needs and Israel proposed several options including the Barak system was chosen because of its flexibility and capabilities in various areas.

IAI CEO Boaz Levy visited Morocco secretly and presented the missile defence systems’ capabilities and closed the deal.

According to Globes, the Barak MX missile defence system can protect against a range of missile threats and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

The system provides management of three types of interceptors from IAI’s Barak family, and is supported by radar and various launchers for the best coverage of combat aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, ground-to-air missile and ground-to-ground missiles.

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