New Delhi: Marking a significant milestone for both Morocco and India’s defence sectors, 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. The partnership represents the first large defence manufacturing plant in Morocco and the first overseas venture for an Indian defence Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
TASL Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 armoured vehicle has the capability to traverse all types of different terrains. The Indian army has deployed these vehicles in limited numbers on the Ladakh border.
In collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Motors, Tata Advanced Systems 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.
A stepping stone for Tata Advanced Systems’ expansion into the African market, the collaboration is expected to deepen the ties between Morocco and India in defence. Emphasising the significance of this contract, Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of TASL, stated, “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.”
This partnership represents a major leap in its defence capabilities and industrial self-reliance For Morocco. 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.”
Expected to be operational within the next 12 months, the production at Morocco’s first defence manufacturing plant 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.
The Casablanca facility is positioned to meet growing demand across the African continent, while the initial production is dedicated to fulfilling the needs of the Royal Moroccan Army. 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.
