Complementing its Mohammed VI/A and Mohammed VI/B satellites already in operation, Morocco has ordered two Ofek-13-type surveillance satellites from Israel to strengthen surveillance in its territory, news outlet Nzic reported earlier this month, quoting a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Ofek-13 satellites, known for their advanced intelligence and security capabilities, can capture images with a resolution of up to 0.5 meter.
Designed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the IDF, these satellites are operated by a control unit known as 9900.
The first Ofek-13 satellite was launched into space on March 29, 2023, using a Shavit launcher from the Palmachim air base in Israel. These satellites utilize Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology to generate high-resolution images from a limited-resolution radar system by sending microwave radar signals to the Earth’s surface.
Morocco had previously acquired two Airbus and Thalès-designed satellites pursuant to an agreement in 2013.
Morocco’s Mohammed VI/A satellite was launched in November 2017 from the Kourou base in French Guiana, using a Vega-type rocket. Its counterpart, the Mohammed VI/B, was launched the following year.