Muslim country targets Israel's 'David's Sling'
Morocco is negotiating the purchase of Israel's 'David's Sling' missile defense system. The deal is at an advanced stage, but a final decision has not been made. The acquisition would complement Morocco's existing arsenal of Israeli air defense systems and strengthen military cooperation between the countries against the backdrop of the Abraham Accords.
Morocco is negotiating the purchase of Israel's 'David's Sling' missile defense system, as reported by the German publication ES&T, noting that talks are at an advanced stage. A final decision on the purchase has not yet been made, and the number of systems and delivery timelines remain unknown. Morocco already uses Israeli air defense systems Barak MX (developed by Israel Aerospace Industries) and SPYDER (by Rafael). Acquiring 'David's Sling' would enable the interception of ballistic and cruise missiles at ranges from 40 to 300 kilometers. The system was developed through Israeli-American cooperation, led by Rafael with participation from Raytheon. It includes a radar, command and control unit, launchers, and Stunner interceptor missiles. The negotiations occur amid expanding defense cooperation following the Abraham Accords. Beyond air defense systems, Morocco has purchased PULS rocket artillery systems and ATMOS artillery systems from Elbit Systems, and is collaborating on drone production. Finland has also expressed interest in 'David's Sling', announcing in 2023 its intention to acquire the system for approximately 316 million euros. Moshe Patel, head of the 'Homa' directorate at Israel's Ministry of Defense, noted high demand for Israeli air defense systems among European countries, linking it to concerns about Russia and lessons from the war in Ukraine.