The US Army plans to evaluate counter-drone technology in Morocco next year, expanding the North African country’s role in American military experimentation.
- The US Army has disclosed plans for counter-drone trials in Morocco in 2027.
- Demonstrations will precede operational assessment during African Lion.
- The programme aims to accelerate equipment delivery to soldiers.
- No suppliers or contract value have been announced.
The trials will focus on protecting command posts and operating locations against small unmanned aircraft.
Soldier-led demonstrations in Tan-Tan are scheduled for February and March 2027, followed by operational assessment during African Lion in April and May.
The programme builds on Morocco’s growing relationship with Washington in weapons testing, training and procurement.
According to a US Army announcement published on 16 October, up to 15 solutions will be evaluated under an initiative targeting delivery of technology to soldiers within 180 days. That is an objective, rather than a confirmed delivery schedule.
A faster route from testing to equipment
The initiative connects the Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa, with its Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate, which helps commanders turn operational needs into technology requirements.
Explaining the wider programme to DefenseScoop on 14 October, director Colonel Christopher Hill described a process that puts soldiers directly into equipment demonstrations and assessments.
Under the general model, companies receive feedback and must demonstrate that they can adapt their products before a subsequent operational assessment. Commanders then use the results to decide which capabilities they want.
Hill said the directorate typically narrows industry submissions to 15 vendors for demonstrations, with five subsequently awarded contracts. Those figures describe the broader process; they do not establish that five contracts have already been awarded for Morocco.
The approach is intended to shorten conventional acquisition timelines and give military units more influence over the technology they receive.
Morocco’s expanding testing role
The planned trials add a specific programme to an existing US–Moroccan defence initiative.
Earlier in August, Morocco’s military testing area had been opened to private companies developing missiles, drones and other equipment.
That arrangement followed an agreement to establish an Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Centre in Tan-Tan, incorporating a training area, drone academy and innovation centre.
The Army says African testing locations offer airspace, spectrum conditions and terrain that are difficult to replicate at ranges in the United States and Europe.
The new trials are also distinct from the purchasing framework joined by Egypt and Morocco on 13 October.
That framework gives participating governments faster access to approved drone and counter-drone equipment. The Tan-Tan programme concerns testing and evaluating technology for military requirements.
Neither announcement establishes that Morocco has purchased the systems proposed for next year’s trials.