IAI in Morocco spans Barak MX air defense, Ofek 13 satellites and the Benslimane drone plant. See reported values, sources and the new LORA missile talks.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) leads Israeli defense sales to Morocco by reported contract value, with a Barak MX air defense deal reported at $500 million and a $1 billion, five-year agreement that foreign media identify as two Ofek 13 satellites. IAI also supplies drones, and BlueBird has a SpyX plant in Benslimane. Calcalist reported on October 8, 2026 that IAI is nearing a LORA missile sale.
What is IAI's place in Israel's defense industry?
IAI is Israel's largest defense company and is state-owned, according to Calcalist. Calcalist reports a record backlog of $35 billion and says investors expect IAI's planned partial IPO to slip into 2027 because of the October 27 election. For the wider sector, see Olam's Israeli defense industry coverage.
| IAI product line | Moroccan link |
|---|---|
| Barak MX air defense | $500 million to $540 million deal signed in February 2022 |
| Ofek reconnaissance satellites | Two Ofek 13 satellites in a $1 billion, five-year deal announced in July 2024, per foreign media |
| Heron and Harop drones | Three Heron 1 drones delivered, and Harop systems reported in service |
| BlueBird drones, 50% owned by IAI | WanderB, ThunderB and SpyX, plus the Benslimane plant |
| Education partnership | International University of Rabat MoU signed May 22, 2023 |
What is the Barak MX deal worth?
Barak MX is IAI's anchor air defense sale to Morocco, reported at $500 million by Morocco World News and $540 million by Globes, with the contract signed in February 2022. Morocco World News reported first shipments from mid-2023, citing the Moroccan military forum FAR Maroc and leaked Pentagon documents.
Barak MX is a modular system that can defend against missiles and drones. Its interceptor family includes the Barak-MRAD at 35 kilometers, the Barak-LRAD at 70 kilometers and the Barak-ER at 150 kilometers, according to Morocco World News and Le360.
What did Morocco buy in the Ofek 13 satellite deal?
IAI announced a $1 billion, five-year agreement with an unnamed customer on July 9, 2024, and foreign media identified it as two Ofek 13 reconnaissance satellites for Morocco, according to Globes. Globes says Morocco preferred Ofek 13 to satellites from Airbus and Thales, its previous suppliers. Calcalist also cites foreign reports of an IAI satellite purchase valued at about $1 billion.
The Defense Post describes Ofek 13 as a radar satellite that can image through darkness and bad weather at a resolution of up to 0.5 meters. It was first launched in March 2023, and the Defense Post says the Moroccan satellites would be delivered over five years.
What drones and loitering munitions does IAI supply?
IAI supplies Morocco with Heron 1 drones and, according to Globes, Harop loitering munitions. Globes cites three Heron 1 drones delivered under a $48 million deal signed in 2014 through an IAI and Airbus joint venture, as first reported by Intelligence Online.
Medias24 reported in September 2025, citing Israeli media, that Morocco was negotiating for 200 to 300 Harop and Harpy loitering munitions at an estimated $120 million. Medias24 gives their range as 500 to 1,000 kilometers. Olam's loitering munitions coverage explains that IAI invented the category, and no source reviewed confirms that the 2025 talks became a contract.
What are the Benslimane plant and the Rabat university partnership?
Benslimane is the site of BlueBird's SpyX loitering munition plant, which Globes reported inaugurated in November 2025, and IAI has owned 50% of BlueBird since 2020. Olam's Benslimane coverage has the specifications and the timeline.
IAI and the International University of Rabat signed an MoU on May 22, 2023 to set up a center of excellence in aeronautics and artificial intelligence. Israel21c reports that the center is meant to support joint research, competitive Moroccan tech startups and exchange between Moroccan and Israeli companies. Amir Peretz, IAI's board chairman at the time, attended the signing.
How does IAI compare with Elbit and Rafael in Morocco?
By reported contract values, IAI leads Elbit Systems and Rafael in Morocco, while Elbit has more mid-sized contracts. The table compares reported values, manufacturing and training links.
| Prime | Reported contract values | Manufacturing footprint | Education link |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAI | Barak MX at $500 million to $540 million, Ofek 13 at about $1 billion, Heron 1 at $48 million | Benslimane SpyX plant via BlueBird | International University of Rabat MoU |
| Elbit Systems | ATMOS estimated at about 175 million euros, PULS at $150 million and Alinet at about $70 million, with the customer identified by Moroccan media or Military Africa | Two sites planned, one in the Casablanca region | None disclosed |
| Rafael | Spyder, value not disclosed | None disclosed | None disclosed |
Olam's Israel-Morocco defense corridor page covers all three companies.
What is next for IAI in Morocco?
IAI's next reported Moroccan sale is the LORA ballistic missile. Calcalist reported on October 8, 2026 that talks are at an advanced stage, and IAI showed LORA at the Marrakech Air Show from October 7 to 10. The German Navy test-fired the naval version on September 2, 2026. Olam's LORA deal report has the sources and the open questions.
SIPRI data for 2021 to 2025 ranks Israel second among Morocco's arms suppliers at 24% of imports. Until IAI or Rabat confirms terms, treat LORA and the 2025 loitering munition talks as reported, not signed.
How we report: Olam stories draw on public filings, company disclosures and named sources, checked by our editors. Read our methodology · Corrections
