New Delhi: In a step that highlights India’s manufacturing capabilities, defence minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the country’s first defence production unit in Africa during his maiden visit to Morocco, starting Monday.
Singh will inaugurate Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s new manufacturing facility for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 at Berrechid. The plant is the first-ever Indian defence manufacturing facility in Africa and marks a milestone that reflects the global expansion of India’s defence industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
This vehicle has the capability to traverse all types of difficult terrain. The Indian Army has deployed these vehicles in limited numbers in Ladakh.
The WhAP was developed by Tata Advanced Systems, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Tata Motors. It 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 the Casablanca region. This plant will serve not only Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces but is also set to become an export hub for other African nations.
Singh will begin his two-day trip on Monday, at the invitation of minister delegate of national defence of Morocco, Abdeltif Loudiyi. The visit underscores India’s growing ties with the North African nation.
During his stay, Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with Loudiyi to strengthen defence, strategic, and industry cooperation. He will also call on Morocco’s minister of industry and trade Ryad Mezzour, to explore avenues for industrial collaboration. Singh will also interact with the vibrant Indian community in Rabat.
The two countries are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of defence. The MoU will establish an institutional framework to expand bilateral defence engagement, including exchanges, training, and industrial linkages. The Indian Navy has been making regular port calls at Casablanca in recent years, and the agreement will further consolidate these ties.