Morocco Chooses Israel’s Elbit Systems as Primary Arms Supplier Amid Strong Ties

Morocco has selected Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems as its primary weapons supplier, further solidifying military ties between the two nations despite the ongoing war in Gaza. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) have signed a contract to acquire 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery systems from Elbit, according to a report from La Tribune.

This latest deal underscores the resilience of the Abraham Accords, the historic U.S.-brokered agreements that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. Since then, Morocco and Israel have expanded their defense and economic cooperation, alongside Israel’s growing ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan.

With this new contract, Israel has become Morocco’s third-largest weapons supplier, accounting for 11% of its total arms imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The deal follows a $1 billion agreement last year between Morocco and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the acquisition of an intelligence spy satellite.

Economic relations have also strengthened significantly. In 2023, trade between Israel and Morocco doubled to $116.7 million, up from $56.2 million in 2022, marking the fastest growth among all Abraham Accords nations, according to the Abraham Accord Peace Institute (AAPI).

Despite deepening defense and trade ties, Morocco has expressed criticism of Israeli policies, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict. Last week, it joined other Arab nations in opposing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to third countries, calling the idea a “dangerous precedent” that violates international law.

While political disagreements persist, Morocco’s continued military partnerships with Israel highlight the enduring strength of the Abraham Accords and the growing strategic alignment between the two nations. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates to stay informed on Israel’s expanding global partnerships.