Politics

Morocco in talks with Israel to acquire cruise missile to upgrade offensive capabilities

Published

3 years ago

May 8, 2022

The Moroccan government is holding talks with Israel to purchase a state of the art supersonic light fighter jet, a Delilah short-range cruise missile to add to its fleet of F-5, to boost its offensive and defensive capabilities, according to a report on Saturday by Spanish military news website, Defensa.

The missile system, developed by Israeli weapon manufacturer, Elbit Systems, will be the first of its kind in Morocco’s defense arsenal, and would also be the first missile in the country’s arsenal to effectively operate on land and sea targets within the range of 250 km, the website said.

The deal, though, is still pending Morocco’s sealing of an agreement with Israeli security institution, but the Israeli security authorities have already scrutinised the country’s arms exports over concerns on the possibility of the “weapons falling into the hands of adverse militarized entities.”

The deal is part of Morocco’s latest effort to upgrade its arsenal as the country had, in February, announced a series of purchases for state-of-the-art military equipment.

However, Moroccan-Jews are strongly lobbying to have the deal called off as they express fears the weapons will be used to oppress members of the opposition.

But a statement by the Moroccan defense ministry has assured that the country only intends to use the Delilah cruise missiles to upgrade its already-existing fleet of F-2 fighter jets.

In addition to equipping them with the Delilah cruise missile, Morocco also announced plans to upgrade its existing fighter jets with fire control radars, digital displays, as well as advanced data links.

The list of upcoming upgrades also includes advanced sponsor systems, signal jamming systems, and the air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missiles the likes of the Delilah cruise missile.

Related Topics:Defense Featured Missile Morocco

Click to comment

Politics

Burkina Faso releases 4 French spies after Moroccan intervention

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

In a diplomatic spat over their imprisonment, France and Morocco announced Thursday that four French nationals detained in Burkina Faso for a year had been freed after mediation from Morocco.

They were spies, according to a prior statement made by the director of France’s foreign intelligence organisation, the DGSE.

A request for comment was not answered by the DGSE or a representative of the French military, which is in charge of the agency.

Since December 2023, they have been held in Ouagadougou.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed King Mohammed of Morocco on Wednesday for his intervention, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year,” according to a statement from the French administration.

King Mohammed and President Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso were also commended by Morocco’s foreign ministry, which stated that “this humanitarian act” was made possible by their positive bilateral ties.

In October, France made peace with Morocco, one of its former protectorates, after three years of hostilities between Paris and Rabat stoked by immigration concerns and the disputed Western Sahara region.

Morocco offers Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel republics Atlantic trade.

However, France’s relations with former West and Central African colonies, such as Burkina Faso, remain difficult. In Ouagadougou, French troops and diplomats were ejected, the defence attache and ambassador were asked to depart, and certain French media were suspended.

The military junta that took control in 2022 in Burkina Faso has been criticized by international rights groups for cracking down on free expression and harassing dissidents to handle a security crisis precipitated by Al Qaeda and Islamic State extremists.

Politics

Ghana: President-elect Mahama appoints anti-corruption team

Published

4 days ago

December 19, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement released by his transition team on Wednesday, Ghana’s President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has designated an anti-corruption committee to investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

When he takes office next month, Mahama, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election held on December 7 and who received almost 56% of the vote, has pledged to reclaim the proceeds of corruption and hold those responsible for it accountable.

In anticipation, an anti-graft squad has been established. The parliament’s Committee on Assurances, which has previously raised suspicions of governmental corruption, is chaired by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah.

An investigative journalist, a private attorney, a former auditor general, and a former police officer with experience in high-profile robbery cases make up the other three members.

After looking into alleged financial irregularities that took place during the previous administration, Daniel Dumelovo, the former auditor general, was fired.

Recovering lost assets and fighting corruption were two of Mahama’s main campaign pledges.

“He intends to hit the ground running on these commitments,” the statement said.

Eight years after leaving office, former President Mahama is back to head the West African country. Despite not being personally contaminated, he faced criticism during his 2012–2016 administration due to claims of political corruption.