Atlas Defense, a company newly registered in Rabat in January 2024, is expected to become the first production facility for Turkish military drones in Africa. The company’s stated activities include:
“the design, manufacturing, development, and maintenance of drones.”
The company is owned by Haluk and Selçuk Bayraktar, leaders of Türkiye ‘s Baykar defense firm. Baykar is known for its Bayraktar TB2 drones, which have played a significant role for the Ukrainians in the conflict in Donbas, providing critical surveillance and attack capabilities against Russian forces.
The creation of Atlas Defense suggests plans to develop, manufacture, and maintain drones locally, potentially targeting the African market. Baykar’s drones are already in service with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, which have purchased at least twenty TB2 drones since 2021, along with ground control stations and simulation systems. They are used for surveillance and combat operations, notably in Western Sahara. Other African countries—including Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Togo, and Tunisia—have also acquired Baykar drones, reflecting growing regional demand.
The local production of drones aligns with Morocco’s defense strategy. Algeria’s growing military budget, nearly double that of Morocco, underscores the military imbalance between the two countries, whose relations have long been strained by territorial disputes, particularly over Western Sahara, and deep political differences. In response, Morocco is focusing on drone capabilities and air defense to offset disparities in military expenditures and personnel.
This growing presence of Turkish drones across the continent is part of a broader strategy. In recent years, Türkiye has expanded its diplomatic, economic, and military footprint in Africa under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Its drone exports, alongside Chinese and Israeli models, are now prominent on the continent, with Morocco and Algeria among the leading operators.