India’s First Overseas Defence Facility – Morocco
Key Highlights
Inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh & Moroccan Defence Minister Abdelatif Loudyi.
Location: Berrechid, Morocco.
Part of India–Morocco Defence Cooperation MoU
New Defence Wing: To be established at the Embassy of India in Rabat.
Facility: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) defence manufacturing plant.
Size: 20,000 sq. m – Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing facility.
Significance: First overseas defence plant by an Indian private company (and first in Africa).
Production
WhAP (Wheeled Armoured Platform) 8x8:
Jointly developed by TASL + DRDO.
Modular combat platform – can serve as:
Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Armoured Personnel Carrier
Reconnaissance Vehicle
Command Post
Mortar Carrier
Ambulance
Options: Remote Weapon Stations, ATGM systems.
Delivery: Initial WhAP deliveries to Royal Moroccan Army begin next month.
Strategic Importance
Strengthens India–Morocco strategic partnership.
Enhances India’s defence export push under Aatmanirbhar Bharat → Make with Friends, Make for the World vision.
Job Creation: Defence-related employment in Morocco.
Local sourcing: 33% initially → 50% in coming years.
Morocco’s Location: Gateway to Africa & Europe → facility to act as export hub.
Contributes to regional security and local defence capacity building.