Emiratos enviará una nueva flota militar a Marruecos
Morocco has been working on rearmament since breaking diplomatic relations with Algeria. Tension in North Africa in the wake of the rift between the two countries has escalated significantly in the last three months. Authority over Western Sahara was the main trigger for ties that were key, especially gas supplies for countries such as Spain. The arms race between Rabat and Algiers is now experiencing a new chapter with the dispatch of a military fleet by the United Arab Emirates to the Alawi kingdom.
The UAE does recognise Morocco's authority over Western Sahara, while Morocco recognises the UAE's authority over the Greater and Lesser Tunb Islands and Abu Musa. The historic relationship between Abu Dhabi and Rabat greatly facilitates collaboration between two countries that should be regional leaders. The UAE is therefore reaching out to its Moroccan ally at a time of great complexity due to the dispute with Algeria. It is also doing so with Egypt, another Emirati ally, with whom the kingdom will share the 68 fighter jets that the UAE will send to both countries.
The Mirage 2000-9 fighters are the ones chosen to reinforce Morocco and Egypt's weapons arsenal, according to the specialised defence media "Defense Arabe". It is a more advanced model designed on the basis of the French-built Mirage that made its first flight in the late 1970s. This new version of the fighter is uniquely developed by the Emirates and features a highly advanced military technology system compared to its predecessor. This shipment of fighters comes at the same time that Abu Dhabi is acquiring 80 new fighters from France, the Rafale.
For Morocco, it is another step in its arms plan, which it has been working on intensively since Aziz Akhanouch came to power. In recent months, Rabat has strengthened its ties with what should be important long-term allies, such as Israel. The establishment of Ambassador David Govrin was the first move that hinted at what was to come between the two countries. After that, Moroccans and Israelis signed an "unprecedented" security agreement, according to Israel's defence minister, Benny Gantz.
The kingdom's purchase of Iron Dome defence systems from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is one of the most important aspects of the memorandum, which was sealed at the end of November when Minister Gantz travelled to the Alawi kingdom. What was the first trip of a minister of this portfolio to Morocco "will allow Israeli exports to Morocco", not only in military matters but also in another of the fundamental aspects such as cybersecurity. The 'common interest in consolidating relations' of which the Moroccan government spoke in its communiqué was reinforced, as it is now with the United Arab Emirates, thanks to the imports that continue to arrive in Rabat to ensure its leadership in North Africa.
