The Abraham Accords continue to yield substantial deals for Israel’s defense industries.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) reported this morning an order worth $1 billion, without providing details. According to foreign reports, the deal involves the sale of two advanced spy satellites to Morocco.
Reports indicate that Morocco will purchase two satellites from the Opsat 3000 series, the same series used for IDF reconnaissance. These satellites will replace two older ones that Morocco had previously acquired from a consortium of French, Italian, and German companies, which have lower resolution capabilities.
Morocco has entered into an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to supply two advanced military reconnaissance satellites.
The contract, estimated at $1 billion, will see Rabat receive Israel’s Ofek 13 spy satellites over five years.
They will replace Morocco’s existing Airbus and Thales space-based surveillance system.
Once delivered, the satellites are expected to bolster the African nation’s intelligence-gathering capabilities amid increasing geopolitical tensions.
First launched into orbit in March 2023, IAI’s Ofek 13 is equipped with synthetic aperture radar that enables precise imaging even in adverse weather conditions.
It also offers unprecedented day and night surveillance with a resolution of up to 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) and an orbit period as short as 90 minutes.
The Israeli Air Force previously described the space asset as “a tool that allows us to look beyond the horizon and investigate all areas of interest.”
Its “unique radar observation capabilities” also enable seamless intelligence-gathering in any visibility conditions.
In Morocco, the satellite can be used to monitor borders, detect potential threats, and gather critical intelligence.
Since the Abraham Accords, Morocco has also purchased the Barak 8 air defense system from IAI for $500 million. Both deals were significantly influenced by Amir Peretz, Chairman of IAI, due to his connections in the country.
The production of spy satellites at IAI also involves Elbit Systems, which provides the space camera, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which builds the satellite’s propulsion system that maintains its orbit. To date, IAI has sold spy satellites to India, Azerbaijan, Italy, and Singapore.
French reports suggest the deal was finalized last summer, before the outbreak of the War of Iron Swords, and Morocco has not canceled it despite the ongoing conflict.
The war has increased demand for employment in the defense industries, which are expanding and viewed as stable workplaces during these times.
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