Morocco receives first order of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones
Morocco received a first order of the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drones earlier this month, according to local media reports on Saturday, which quoted an unofficial military source on Facebook.
Rabat had ordered 13 aircraft of this type as part of developing the Moroccan army "in order to be at the highest levels of modernity, efficiency and readiness to face all dangers", according to the unofficial Forum of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces (Far-Maroc).
Moroccan soldiers have undergone a training program in Turkey over the past few weeks, following the contract signed with Ankara to purchase the aerial vehicles, according to Far-Maroc.
The Bayraktar TB2 – primarily manufactured for the Turkish military - had been sold to Qatar, Ukraine and Azerbaijan over the years.
Morocco uses drones to monitor its borders and for intelligence purposes.
Tensions have been at an all time high between Morocco and neighbouring Algeria after the latter cut off diplomatic ties and closed its airspace to Moroccan aircraft.