Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has agreed to supply the Moroccan military with the Barak MX air and missile defense system for $500 million, according to a Globes report, citing sources involved in the trade.
The announcement comes after reports late last year that the Moroccan government was considering purchasing the system to improve its air defense capabilities.
The North African nation reportedly reached out to Jerusalem to discuss its defense needs and eventually chose the Barak system after being presented with a variety of alternatives.
IAI chief executive officer Boaz Levy also visited Morocco to present the capabilities of the system and officially close the deal.
Morocco is currently modernizing its military amid involvement in a diplomatic and military confrontation with neighbor Algeria and various militant Islamic and separatist organizations operating in the region.
Barak MX System
The Barak MX is a flexible, modular missile defense system that protects soldiers and assets from threats, including enemy fighters, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, drones, helicopters, and gliding bombs.
The system offers three types of interceptors: the Barak-MRAD, which intercepts missiles up to 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) away; the Barak-LRAD, which can reach targets up to 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) away; and the Barak-ER, with an extended range of 150 kilometers (93 miles).
The air defense system is also supported by radar and launchers, enabling improved coverage of enemy forces.
“BARAK MX allows you to tailor your system configuration to face any threat, in any mission and in any battle condition,” IAI said on its website. “[It] is capable of simple integration with any existing legacy or new sensors.”
