Spanish newspapers have reported in recent hours that the Spanish Navy and the Royal Moroccan Navy recently conducted joint maneuvers in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar as part of NATO’s “Sea Guardian” operation.

This operation comes within the context of comprehensive tasks that include monitoring maritime traffic, tracking activities and potential threats, and ensuring maritime security, with the possibility of intervening to counter terrorism when necessary.

According to what the Spanish media reported, based on the Spanish Joint Chiefs of Staff, two frigates participated in these exercises: the Spanish “Reina Sofia” and the Moroccan “Tariq Ibn Ziyad”.

Geostrategic dimensions of the maneuvers

In this context, Cherkaoui Roudani, an expert in geostrategic and security studies, stressed that “at a time when the Atlantic and Mediterranean arenas are witnessing rapid transformations, the issue of maritime security and multilateral military cooperation has become an indispensable strategic axis.”

Al-Roudani told Hespress: “On the one hand, the joint naval exercise between Morocco and Spain in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, through the Moroccan frigate Tariq Ibn Ziyad and the Spanish frigate belonging to the NATO Maritime Command, reveals a strategic shift that goes beyond the technical or training dimension; it reflects, in its depth, a growing awareness among the Atlantic powers that Morocco has become a central player in the security of the Mediterranean and its west, and in protecting the vital maritime routes on which Europe and NATO depend.”

The expert in geostrategic and security studies stated that “Morocco’s participation in this exercise comes directly after its participation in the NATO Nurest 2025 exercise hosted by Turkey, as a new embodiment, firstly, of Rabat’s commitment to the Atlantic line and the expansion of its operational partnership, and secondly, it embodies Morocco’s strength in adhering to the strategic networking lines between the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Euro-Mediterranean theater at a moment when maritime and hybrid threats are growing and reshaping NATO’s priorities.”

The same spokesperson confirmed that “Morocco is not only participating in maneuvers or exercises; but has become a center of gravity in a new security equation that determines how to protect maritime routes.”

Explaining the significance of the participation of the Moroccan frigate “Tariq Ibn Ziyad”, Al-Roudani added: “This is evident through the participation of the Moroccan frigate Tariq Ibn Ziyad, of the SIGMA 10513 class, an advanced model in the modernization of the Moroccan fleet, and it was designed to be fully compatible with NATO standards in terms of systems, communication, operation and combat readiness.”

The aforementioned expert said that Sea Guardian is a new naval military exercise and an updated version of the Active Endeavour operations that began in 2001 in order to strengthen the joint support of NATO countries in accordance with Article 5 of the Atlantic Alliance agreements.

Capabilities of the Moroccan frigate “Tariq Ibn Ziyad”

Al-Roudani listed technical and military characteristics of the Moroccan frigate “Tariq Ibn Ziyad” that qualify it for full integration into multinational operations; most notably: advanced command and control systems (Combat Management System), as it adopts the TACTICOS system adopted within many NATO fleets, which allows for managing engagements, coordinating operations, and an immediate operational link with allied platforms.

Among the features mentioned by the expert was a multi-functional armament system, including Exocet MM40 Block 3 missiles with a range exceeding 180 km, MICA VL surface-to-air missiles, and the OTO Melara 76mm cannon, in addition to advanced electronic warfare systems. It also boasts advanced detection and reconnaissance capabilities, including 3D radars, powerful sonar, and VBSS systems for inspecting and intercepting ships.

Al-Roudani also highlighted its “high readiness for escort and protection, including protecting shipping lanes, intercepting suspicious vessels, and executing long-range maritime missions.” It also features an integrated helicopter platform capable of accommodating NH90 or Panther AS565 helicopters for enhanced surveillance and rapid deployment.

Among the features mentioned by the expert are NATO-compliant operating standards, with encrypted communication systems and a low acoustic signature suitable for anti-submarine missions.

Al-Roudani concluded his analysis by saying that these capabilities enhance Morocco’s role in: strengthening joint maritime surveillance in the western Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, supporting early warning against terrorism and hybrid threats, as well as enhancing maritime deterrence, developing intelligence coordination in the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa, while contributing to energy security by securing gas and oil routes; which, according to the expert, has made it an essential part of NATO’s forward defense network.

Shared risks and growing cooperation

For his part, Abdel Rahman Makawi, a military expert, highlighted that these maneuvers have a sensitive security context, saying: “The Moroccan-Spanish military maneuvers come within the context of strategic cooperation to protect the western Mediterranean, especially the Strait of Gibraltar, through which more than 40 percent of international trade, especially energy, passes.”

Makawi told Hespress that “these maneuvers are based on intelligence information. Now, whether terrorist groups or transnational criminal organizations, they employ advanced technological means: drones, unmanned boats, and even various aircraft.”

The military expert added, explaining the nature of the threats: “The maneuvers are based first on military intelligence information, in which the cooperating and allied armies decide to simulate fighting either organized crime that may threaten the security of this maritime region, or based on threats or risks received by the leadership of the Spanish and Moroccan armies, the Royal Moroccan Army. Simulating these threats and risks is in addition to illegal immigration, which has now become a primary source of income for the mafia in Europe, especially the Spanish mafia.”

Makawi also explained the technical dimension of these exercises: “These maneuvers are also suitable for the use of very advanced weapons, especially those belonging to the sixth generation, as we see that Spain and Morocco have begun to take an interest in the military industry and military artificial intelligence, and it may be used in these joint military exercises, given that the new weapon, especially in aviation, has become pivotal and essential for superiority, whether over terrorist groups or organized crime groups that develop with the development of technology.”