HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
In a move reflecting the accelerating pace of developing the national defense industry, Morocco has succeeded in launching its first locally-manufactured military drone, named Atlas ISTAR, specifically designed for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions.
The new drone, developed by Aerodrive Engineering Services, underwent a series of technical tests before succeeding in its first test flight, which constitutes a qualitative shift in the path of strengthening national military capabilities, especially in the field of precise air surveillance. This step falls within Morocco's strategy aimed at achieving greater independence in the field of armaments, through investment in research and development and technology transfer, instead of relying exclusively on the import of military equipment from abroad. This drone is expected to contribute to supporting real-time monitoring and surveillance operations, and enhancing the readiness of the armed forces to face the increasing security challenges. Observers believe that the development of a locally-made intelligence drone reflects remarkable progress in Moroccan engineering competencies, and also opens the door to future projects in the field of aerospace and defense industries, whether for military or even civilian use. Although Morocco has previously acquired and used drones from other countries, the launch of Atlas ISTAR represents a precedent in terms of complete local manufacturing, which enhances the Kingdom's position as a rising player in the field of defense technology at the regional level. This step is expected to be the beginning of a new phase of developing advanced "Made in Morocco" defense systems, in the context of regional and international transformations that require strengthening self-capabilities in the fields of security and defense.
