Israeli media outlets have revealed that the Israeli defense manufacturer BlueBird Aero Systems has officially inaugurated a new plant in Morocco dedicated to producing Spy-X kamikaze drones, marking a significant milestone in the growing defense partnership between Rabat and Tel Aviv. The move aligns with Morocco’s ambition to build an indigenous defense industry through technology transfer and the training of Moroccan technical expertise.
According to the same sources, the plant—located in Ben Slimane—is the first of its kind in North Africa specializing in the production of this advanced loitering munition system. The facility represents a crucial step in Morocco’s strategic roadmap to develop a sovereign military industrial base.
The project goes beyond manufacturing, as it also includes technology transfer, technical knowledge sharing, the training of Moroccan engineers and technicians, and the development of capabilities in operating and maintaining unmanned aerial systems. It further aims to integrate the Spy-X platform into Morocco’s broader defense architecture.
This development comes just days after BlueBird announced, in an official statement, that it had hosted a Moroccan technical delegation as part of a technology transfer (TOT) program. That visit laid the groundwork for launching Morocco’s first production line of Spy-X kamikaze drones.
In its statement, which Assahifa viewed at the time, the company said it was “pleased to welcome the Moroccan technical team to our facilities for an in-depth learning session on UAV production as part of our technology transfer program.”
The statement added that the visit included intensive knowledge transfer sessions and hands-on training, in preparation for the launch of the Spy-X production facility in Morocco—described as the first local manufacturing line of its kind. BlueBird emphasized that it “appreciates the trust and engagement of its clients,” and looks forward to “continuing to support them with its expertise and innovations.”
The Spy-X drone, according to the manufacturer’s official data, is classified as a loitering munition—a tactical, kamikaze-style unmanned aerial system designed to search for, identify, and lock onto targets before executing a precision strike.
The system features a lightweight electric platform weighing approximately 10 kilograms, a range of up to 50 kilometers, and a loitering endurance of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. It is capable of attack speeds exceeding 250 km/h, and can carry interchangeable warheads of about 2.5 kg, tailored for different target types.
BlueBird further states that the Spy-X is engineered for tactical deployment by small field units, equipped with a triple-sensor observation suite (cameras and fixed sensors) and an advanced video-tracking system that enables target identification and visual confirmation before engagement. The drone is designed for high-accuracy strikes (low CEP) and supports multiple payload configurations depending on operational needs.
The launch of this new production facility marks a deepening of Morocco’s defense modernization efforts and positions the kingdom as a rising hub for unmanned aerial system manufacturing in the region.
