Morocco is reportedly in talks to acquire Turkish Bayraktar Akinci drones.
Delivery of the advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will start in February next year, local media reported.
Local sources first confirmed the deal in August 2023.
The initiative comes after the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces signed a 626 million dirhams ($70 million) contract in 2021 to acquire 13 Bayraktar TB2 combat drones, including remote control ground stations and configurable simulation systems.
The Bayraktar Akinci, developed by the Turkish firm Baykar, is designed as a more advanced aircraft compared to the Bayraktar TB2.
It features a wingspan of 20 meters (65.6 feet), a length of 12.3 meters (40.4 feet), and a height of 4.1 meters (13.5 feet).
The UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 6,000 kilograms (13,228 pounds) and can carry a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms (3,306 pounds).
Powered by dual turboprop engines, it can reach cruising speeds of 277 kilometers (172 miles) per hour and a maximum speed of 361 kilometers (224 miles) per hour.
Equipped with a dual satellite communication system, it can perform air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions while remaining airborne for over 24 hours.
The Akinci will work closely with other drones in the Moroccan military inventory.
In October 2022, the Moroccan military procured an unspecified number of Wing Loong II medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of its continuing effort to bolster its capabilities.
The Akinci will also join four basic Wing Loongs initially acquired in 2020 (likely gifted by the UAE), and other Israeli and Turkish unmanned systems.
Morocco’s foray into heavy-duty medium altitude long endurance drone department started in 2020 when the United States provided the country with four MQ-1 Predator XP drone made by General Atomics.
Also in 2021, Israeli IAI supplied there Harfang (also considered Heron drones) to Morocco, as part of a $48 million arms deal.
