The Kingdom of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) have entered into a strategic partnership to locally produce the TASL Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 armoured vehicle in Casablanca, Morocco. This move marks a significant milestone for both Morocco and India’s defence sectors, as it represents the first large defence manufacturing plant in Morocco and the first overseas venture for an Indian defence Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
This vehicle has the capability to traverse all types of different terrains. As has been reported previously, the Indian army has deployed these vehicles in limited numbers on the Ladakh border.
Expanding India’s Defence Footprint Abroad
Tata Advanced Systems, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Motors, developed the 8×8 platform, which will now be assembled and integrated in Morocco. According to the agreement, the final assembly of these vehicles will take place in a 20,000 square meter facility in Casablanca. This plant will serve not only Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces but is also set to become an export hub for other African nations.
The collaboration is expected to deepen the ties between Morocco and India in defence, and it’s also a steppingstone for Tata Advanced Systems’ expansion into the African market. Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of TASL, emphasized the significance of this contract, stating, “This contract is of significant size and of strategic importance for us. This not only enables TASL to help initiate Morocco’s defence ecosystem but also acts as a launch point for TASL into the rest of Africa for select defence systems.”
A Strategic Boost for Morocco’s Defence Industry
For Morocco, this partnership represents a major leap in its defence capabilities and industrial self-reliance. Abdeltif Loudyi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of the Administration of National Defence, remarked, “This partnership with Tata Advanced Systems marks a new era in the development of our defence industry. It is a strategic step that will not only contribute to our national self-reliance but also our ability to scale up our defence industry quickly and reliably.”
Morocco’s first defence manufacturing plant is expected to be operational within the next 12 months. The production will include significant components exported from India, ensuring local employment and value addition. The facility will adhere to international standards, providing modern technologies such as a high-power, integrated power pack with automatic transmission and modularity for diverse missions.
A Launch Pad for Africa
While the initial production is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of the Royal Moroccan Army, the Casablanca facility is positioned to meet growing demand across the African continent. TASL aims to engage with local vendors and supply chain partners in Morocco to establish a robust defence ecosystem. This will also involve training and skill development initiatives for the Moroccan workforce, further boosting the country’s industrial capabilities.
This partnership underlines Morocco’s ambition to become a regional leader in defence manufacturing while simultaneously strengthening India’s presence in international defence markets.