Morocco has ordered two Dutch-built unmanned surface vessels under a €13 million ($14.7 million) deal aimed at strengthening the Royal Moroccan Navy's ability to detect and respond to underwater threats, Bloomberg reported.
The Netherlands has approved an export licence for the systems after assessing the transaction under European Union arms-export criteria, including their intended use and potential impact on regional stability.
The deal covers two remotely operated vessels configured for anti-submarine warfare and mine-countermeasure missions. The package also includes sensors, control systems, spare parts, training, technical support, a mission control station and other operational equipment.
According to the Dutch government, the vessels can remain at sea for several days with a high degree of autonomy, allowing Morocco to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance and other specialised maritime operations without putting personnel aboard.
The systems are expected to strengthen the Moroccan Navy's ability to protect harbour entrances, coastal approaches and key shipping routes against underwater threats, including naval mines.
Morocco already possesses anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including surface ships equipped with sonar and a limited number of anti-submarine helicopters. However, its specialised capacity for mine-countermeasure operations remains more limited.
The unmanned vessels could allow Moroccan forces to carry out mine-detection and clearance missions while reducing risks to naval personnel operating in potentially hazardous waters.
The Dutch government described the platforms as primarily intended for defensive maritime-security operations. Although they can be equipped with additional systems for protection and anti-submarine warfare, Dutch authorities said this does not alter their fundamentally defensive nature.
The transaction comes as Morocco continues to expand its maritime-security capabilities and modernise its naval forces amid growing strategic importance of its Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
The Netherlands described Morocco as a “stable and strategic partner in an unstable region,” highlighting the country's position along the European Union's southern border and its role in regional security cooperation.
Dutch authorities also referred to Morocco's role in managing migration routes, noting that Moroccan naval vessels already assist migrant boats and combat irregular migration along routes between West Africa and the Canary Islands.
However, the Dutch government said the two unmanned vessels covered by the deal could not be used for such operations without extensive modifications.
The acquisition adds another layer to Morocco's growing use of unmanned systems for maritime surveillance and defence, potentially allowing the navy to expand its operational reach while limiting the exposure of its personnel to underwater threats.
The deal also reflects Morocco's broader efforts to strengthen its position as a maritime-security actor in the region, particularly around major ports, coastal approaches and international shipping routes.
