Morocco has entered into an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the supply of two advanced military reconnaissance satellites.

With an estimated value of $1 billion, the contract will see the delivery to Rabat of Israel’s Ofek 13 spy satellites over a period of five years.

They will replace Morocco’s existing Airbus and Thales space-based surveillance system, TheDefensePost reported.

Once delivered, the satellites are expected to bolster the African nation’s intelligence-gathering capabilities amid increasing geopolitical tensions.

First launched into orbit in March 2023 (photo), IAI’s Ofek 13 is equipped with synthetic aperture radar that enables precise imaging even in adverse weather conditions.

It also offers unprecedented day and night surveillance with a resolution of up to 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) and an orbit period as short as 90 minutes.

The Israeli Air Force previously described the space asset as “a tool that allows us to look beyond the horizon and investigate all areas of interest.”

Its “unique radar observation capabilities” also enable seamless intelligence-gathering in any visibility conditions.

In Morocco, the satellite can be used to monitor borders, detect potential threats, and gather critical intelligence. (TheDefensePost; File Photo: Ofek 13 Intelligence Satellite © IAI)