MARRAKECH, MOROCCO — UAE-based defence company EDGE Group has signed a contract with Morocco’s Administration of National Defence (ADN) to supply DESERT STING 16 (DS-16) guided-glide weapons and THUNDER P-31 precision-guided munitions to the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF).
Signed at the Marrakech Air Show 2026, the agreement covers the supply and integration of both weapons across Morocco’s unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) fleet. EDGE will carry out the required aircraft modifications and software updates to enable operational deployment.
Morocco operates Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akıncı drones, alongside Chinese-made Wing Loong II aircraft. The DS-16 has previously been integrated with the Bayraktar TB2 for the UAE’s armed forces, while the Moroccan contract marks a new integration effort for the THUNDER series on unmanned aircraft.
Weapon Specifications
Both weapons are developed and manufactured in the UAE. They use GNSS-assisted inertial navigation systems (GAINS) and can be equipped with optional semi-active laser (SAL) seekers. With laser guidance, they are designed to achieve accuracy within a three-metre radius.
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DESERT STING 16 (DS-16): A 23-kilogram guided-glide weapon with a range of up to 15 kilometres.
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THUNDER P-31: A guidance system that converts the MK 81 general-purpose bomb into a precision-guided munition. The fully assembled weapon weighs 140 kilograms and has a range of up to 10 kilometres when released from a standard unmanned aircraft, increasing to 20 kilometres when released from a high-speed, high-altitude aircraft.
Saif Al Dahbashi, President of Missiles & Weapons at EDGE, said the contract would provide capabilities tailored to the RMAF’s operational requirements. He also highlighted the company’s commitment to reliable supplies, long-term sustainment and building an enduring partnership with Morocco.
EDGE Expands Defence Cooperation in Africa
The agreement supports EDGE’s strategy of expanding in Africa by adapting its systems to platforms already operated by partner countries.
In Angola, EDGE is implementing a €1 billion naval modernisation programme involving three BR71 MK II Combattante corvettes and six HT-100 NAVAL unmanned helicopters. The company has also signed a Letter of Intent with Angola’s Ministry of Interior for a multi-year border security initiative.
Separately, EDGE signed a memorandum of understanding with Morocco’s ADN at the Marrakech Air Show 2026 to explore local production opportunities for high-performance small arms and aeronautical engines through partnerships with Moroccan companies.
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