Morocco’s Royal Navy is embarking on an ambitious journey to modernise its fleet, focusing on the integration of advanced missile systems from Israel to enhance its defence capabilities.
This effort reflects a strategic push to strengthen the country’s naval forces amid evolving security challenges in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Central to this initiative is the consideration of equipping two key vessel types—the Floréal-class surveillance frigates, Mohammed V and Hassan II, and the newly acquired Avante 1800 offshore patrol vessels—with cutting-edge Israeli technology, namely the Spike NLOS and Barak 8 missile systems.
These moves are not only a testament to Morocco’s military modernisation but also a reflection of its deepening defence ties with Israel, spurred by the diplomatic thaw following the 2020 Abraham Accords. The Floréal-class frigates, Mohammed V and Hassan II, are at the heart of this modernisation effort. Built in France, these ships have long served as vital assets for Morocco’s naval operations, primarily tasked with surveillance and patrol duties in both coastal and open-water environments. Currently armed with Exocet anti-ship missiles and Mistral missiles for close-in defence, these frigates are designed to monitor and protect Morocco’s territorial waters.
However, the Royal Navy is now evaluating the addition of Israeli-made Spike NLOS (Non-Line-of-Sight) missiles to its arsenal. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Spike NLOS is a versatile, fire-and-forget missile with a range of 32 kilometres, capable of striking targets at sea or on land with precision.
This potential upgrade would markedly enhance the frigates’ offensive capabilities, enabling them to address a broader spectrum of threats, including those posed by terrorist groups and criminal organisations operating in the region. The Spike missile family, now in its sixth generation as of 2024, is renowned for its adaptability across various platforms—man-portable, vehicle-launched, helicopter-launched, and maritime variants.
Morocco has acquired both the Spike LR II and NLOS versions as part of a larger arms deal with Israel, with deliveries to the Royal Navy completed in June 2025. While the Spike missiles were initially purchased for the Avante 1800 patrol vessels, their potential integration onto the Floréal-class frigates represents a strategic expansion of their use. This move aligns with Morocco’s broader goal of bolstering its naval defences, leveraging the missile’s precision and range to provide a more robust response to emerging challenges. Parallel to this, Morocco is exploring the integration of the Barak 8 missile system onto its new Avante 1800 offshore patrol vessels.
Designed by Spanish shipbuilder Navantia, the Avante 1800 is an 89-meter modern warship tailored for coastal and open-water missions. Equipped with advanced systems such as a 3D radar, electronic warfare capabilities, and missile launchers, this vessel features a stealthy hull design and operates with a reduced crew, making it a flexible and efficient platform. The Barak 8, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is a long-range surface-to-air missile system engineered to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, drones, and missiles.
By incorporating this system, Morocco aims to fortify the Avante 1800’s air defence capabilities, ensuring its naval assets are well-protected against sophisticated airborne threats. The acquisition of the Avante 1800 vessels and their potential armament with Barak 8 missiles are part of Morocco’s ongoing military modernisation efforts. In recent years, the country has invested heavily in strengthening its defence industry, procuring Israeli-made drones, artillery systems, and now advanced missile technology.
This push is driven in part by perceived threats from neighbouring Algeria and increased military activities in the Mediterranean. Morocco has responded proactively, redeploying warships off its northern coast to safeguard its territorial integrity and maritime interests. The integration of Israeli missiles onto the Avante 1800 vessels underscores this commitment, enhancing the Royal Navy’s ability to assert its presence in the region. The growing defence cooperation between Morocco and Israel is a cornerstone of these developments.
Another particular reason is that the Boeing AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, which Morocco acquired from the United States for its F-16s fighter jets, will have reduced coastal targeting capabilities, says the US. The Harpoon missiles to be supplied to Morocco are the “non-coastal target suppression” version, which will not be able to attack land targets, this is according to an April 27 US Federal Register arms sale notification.
The 2020 Abraham Accords paved the way for diplomatic rapprochement, opening doors to substantial military contracts between the two nations. In 2021, Israel signed a defence pact with Morocco as part of a public display of readiness to advance national security interests in tandem with Arab countries that have drawn closer to it amid shared concern over Iran and Islamist militancy. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) have since acquired a range of Israeli equipment, with the delivery of Spike missiles in 2025 marking a tangible outcome of this partnership. This collaboration has enabled Morocco to access advanced technologies like the Spike and Barak 8 systems, which offer both precision and versatility—key attributes for addressing the complex security environment in which the country operates. Morocco’s strategic location, straddling the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, amplifies the importance of its naval capabilities.
The Royal Navy’s modernisation efforts, including the potential integration of Israeli missile systems, position Morocco as a key player in regional security dynamics. The Floréal-class frigates, with their enhanced offensive reach through Spike NLOS missiles, and the Avante 1800 vessels, fortified by Barak 8 air defence, collectively strengthen Morocco’s ability to protect its waters and respond to threats ranging from terrorism to maritime crime. These advancements also signal Morocco’s intent to maintain stability in the Mediterranean and North Africa, areas increasingly marked by competition and tension.