Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev ratified the “Agreement on Military Cooperation in the Field of Defense” between Azerbaijan and Morocco on Friday to strengthen bilateral relations. The agreement, signed on October 30, 2024, was recently approved by Azerbaijan’s Parliament in December.
The agreement aims to deepen defense ties, featuring technology exchanges, specialized training programs, and joint maintenance of military equipment. The cooperation also facilitates the transfer of defense engineering expertise and the development of advanced weaponry tailored to the strategic needs of both nations.
The agreement includes the standardization of military equipment, sensitive data exchange to address transnational threats, and joint research programs focusing on military technology innovations, particularly in cybersecurity and drone systems.
Sources indicated plans for the establishment of bilateral technical committees to oversee joint projects and the organization of military exercises to enhance tactical coordination between Rabat and Baku.
The agreement aligns with Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to diversify international partnerships and expand its influence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Morocco views the treaty as an opportunity to strengthen ties with a key player in the Caucasus while reinforcing its leadership in regional defense and security.
Both countries anticipate that the partnership will contribute to multilateral initiatives, including those within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), addressing shared geopolitical challenges.
In a context of heightened tensions in the Caucasus and the Middle East, the agreement is set to boost defense capabilities through investments in military industries, exchanges in advanced technologies, and joint initiatives in aerospace, cybersecurity, and missile defense.
It will also enhance the strategic autonomy of both nations in securing their borders and protecting regional interests