Modern warfare can no longer be imagined without drones, and recent international conflicts have shown that traditional defence systems are becoming obsolete. That is why Morocco has decided to act swiftly.

The North African country has just concluded a strategic agreement with the French technology company Harmattan AI to secure its airspace. However, this move goes beyond a simple arms purchase; the main objective for Rabat is to achieve full technological independence.

The plan includes setting up factories on Moroccan soil, opening a dedicated military development centre, and training local researchers through direct partnerships with the country’s universities.

The interception technology that will protect Moroccan skies

The initial agreement focuses on low-altitude aerial interception to counter drone attacks, which militarily corresponds to Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD). Harmattan AI will provide two key systems operating under a single tactical control platform:

• Gobi system: Designed specifically for hunting small drones. It is an ultra-fast platform where the interceptor requires no preparation time after threat detection, capable of neutralising the target in under a minute, reaching speeds of 350 kilometres per hour.
• Gobi Tempest: Intended for heavier and more complex threats. This autonomous interceptor operates in all weather conditions, carries an 800-gram explosive charge, and has an operational range of 12 kilometres.

How Harmattan applies AI to combat

Beyond the interceptors, the real technological heart of Harmattan AI lies in an interconnected ecosystem of software and hardware designed to operate autonomously, even if the enemy manages to cut communications or GPS signals.

The brain of this network is Kalahari, a central command-and-control system that uses artificial intelligence to fuse real-time data from satellites, radars, and drones. This software automatically classifies threats and proposes the best response strategy, dramatically reducing the soldiers’ workload.

The eyes of this structure correspond to the Sahara system, an advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor mounted on reconnaissance drones. Its AI processes images locally to detect millimetre-scale changes on the ground — such as camouflaged vehicles, trenches, or mines — with the hardware advantage of seeing through clouds, fog, or sandstorms.

Finally, the fist of this ecosystem is embodied by Barkhan, a range of precision attack drones or loitering munitions. The onboard AI allows these devices to perform autonomous terminal guidance; that means if the enemy deploys electronic warfare measures and interrupts the radio signal, the drone uses computer vision to continue tracking its target and lock onto impact by itself, while also being able to communicate with its peers to coordinate intelligent swarm attacks.

The human factor: Although the entire ecosystem relies on artificial intelligence for coordination, data processing, and autonomous flight, the architecture rigorously keeps the human operator in the loop (human-in-the-loop) for the final firing decision, avoiding collateral damage.

Rapid business expansion

While the name Harmattan AI may not yet be widely known, its trajectory in the sector has been meteoric. Founded in April 2024, the company raised $200 million in a funding round led by aviation giant Dassault Aviation, propelling its valuation beyond $1.4 billion.

Its presence in North Africa carries a strong local identity, as the owner and co-founder of the technology firm is Mouad M’Ghari, an entrepreneur of Moroccan origin.

The deployment of its technology within the kingdom comes after the signing of major contracts with French and British armed forces — notably through the UK Ministry of Defence. With this step, Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces not only secure their borders against the proliferation of drones in the region but also lay the first stone for their own defence technology industry.