Morocco to integrate Israeli cruise missiles into modernized F-5 fighters

The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) fleet of F-5 Tiger II fighter jets could become even stronger in the future with the integration of Delilah cruise missiles. The Moroccan government is negotiating the purchase of missiles from Israel, as part of an upgrade project in its armed forces. 

Produced by Elbit Systems, the Delilah is a short-range cruise missile, capable of hitting mobile or stationary targets, on land or at sea, at 250 km with warheads of 30 or 54 kg. Over the years, the missile has been adapted for use from ships, helicopters and land platforms.

The Delilah is guided by GPS/INS and has an electro-optical system with CCD (television) and infrared sensors for terminal guidance, and can be used day or night in any weather conditions. A two-way datalink even provides operators with real-time information. 

If acquired, these will be the first weapons of their kind in the Moroccan arsenal, notes the Spanish website Defensa. The negotiation over the missiles takes place at a time when Morocco and Israel have become very close.

However, the sale of the Delilahs must still be approved by Jerusalem, as security institutions in the country fear that the missile and other sensitive weapons could fall into the hands of enemy organizations. On the other hand, a lobby made up of Jews of Moroccan origin could encourage an agreement between the two countries. 

The Delilah missiles have already been used in combat by the Israeli Air Force's F-16 fighters, but the Moroccans intend to integrate the missile into their modernized Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fighters as part of a second package of upgrades for the plane.

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The RMAF received its first F-5s in the 1980s and updated them at the turn of the century. About 26 fighters were modernized by Sogerma of and IAI of Israel, which installed HUD, HOTAS, multifunctional displays, FIAR Grifo F/X radar and integrated the ELT/555 active electronic warfare pod from Italian Elettronica. Some planes also received an in-flight refueling probe.

In 2021, Morocco and Israel signed yet another modernization for the country's F-5, where the veteran aircraft should receive the active electronically scanned array (AESA) Elta EL/M-2052 radar, datalink, new displays, integration with the identifier pod /guider LITENING and the Derby and Python V air-to-air missiles. 

Morocco is one of about 12 countries that have upgraded their F-5s in some way. While nations like Brazil modernized aircraft with 4th Generation avionics and integrated new weapons, others just installed HUDs.

The RMAF's 22 F-5Es and four F-5Fs are based at Meknes/Bassatine Air Base, where they are operated by three squadrons: ERIGE (Reconnaissance, Interception and Electronic Warfare Squadron), Borak and Chahine, under the command of the Wing of Tiger Hunting. 

In addition to the F-5, the RMAF also operates F-16 Block 52 and Dassault Mirage F1 MF2000 fighters.