The historic rivalry between Algeria and Morocco, rooted in territorial disputes and ideological differences, dates back several decades. This antagonism has mainly manifested itself through the question of Western Sahara and border disputes, symbolizing a constant struggle for regional influence. These tensions, resulting from a complex tapestry of historical and political events, have shaped relations between the two countries, often marked by periods of diplomatic glaciation and mutual distrust.
In this context, the recent evolution of the rivalry towards a technological arms race, particularly in the field of military drones, marks a strategic turning point. Algeria, keen to maintain a regional balance, responded by increasing its acquisitions of drones, notably Chinese and Turkish models such as the ANKA-S and Aksungur. This move aims to thwart the strengthening of the Moroccan arsenal, which has integrated Bayraktar TB2 drones into its already diversified equipment, a move seen as a game changer in the region.
Morocco, for its part, has significantly strengthened its military capacity with the addition of these Turkish and Chinese-made drones. The adoption of the Bayraktar TB2 in 2021, in particular, was a significant step to support its operations against the Polisario separatist movements. This expansion of Morocco’s drone arsenal represents a key element of its defense strategy and underlines its ambition to become a dominant regional player.
Turkey, the great power of drones
Turkey, as the main supplier of these technologies, plays a central role in this regional dynamic. The success of its drones, notably the Bayraktar TB2, in Ukraine and Libya, has reinforced its status as an emerging military power and strategic arms supplier. Ankara sees drone sales as a pillar of the growth of its defense industry, a reality that has profound geopolitical implications.
The technological competition for military drones between Algeria and Morocco is the latest chapter in a long-standing rivalry. It reveals not only changes in the defense strategies of the two nations but also how advanced technologies are redefining geopolitical balances. As Algeria and Morocco continue this arms race, the implications for regional and global stability remain an open and worrying question.