In News

• In a major step towards expanding India’s defence industrial footprint globally, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart AbdelatifLoudyi jointly inaugurated India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facilityatBerrechid, Morocco.
• Set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the facility marks a historic milestone in India’s defence diplomacy and the growing strategic partnership between India and Morocco.

About the Facility

• Location:Berrechid, Morocco
• Established by: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in partnership with DRDO
• Launched in: 2025
• Scale: Spread over 20,000 sq. metres, it is Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing facility and India’s first such overseas plant by a private defence company in Africa.
• Primary Production: The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) — an indigenously developed 8×8 modular combat vehicle jointly designed by TASL and DRDO.

Key Features

• Product Range: The WhAP will be produced in multiple configurations including:
  • Infantry Fighting Vehicle
  • Armoured Personnel Carrier
  • Reconnaissance Vehicle
  • Command Post
  • Mortar Carrier
  • Armoured Ambulance
• Technical Capabilities:
  • Equipped with advanced mobility, armour protection, remote weapon stations, and anti-tank guided missile systems.
  • Incorporates indigenous technologies and customised modular design for varied combat roles.
• Local Sourcing:
  • Initially, one-third of components will be sourced locally from Morocco.
  • This is expected to increase to 50% in later phases, fostering industrial collaboration and technology transfer.

Strategic Objectives

The facility aims to advance India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision beyond domestic production to global partnerships under the theme “Make with Friends, Make for the World.”

Key Goals:

• Strengthen India–Morocco defence cooperation and bilateral industrial partnerships.
• Promote defence exports and technology sharing with friendly nations.
• Support regional security and stability across Africa and Europe through capacity-building.

Significance

1. Strategic and Diplomatic

• Establishes Morocco as a strategic hub for Indian defence manufacturing in North Africa and Europe.
• Deepens India’s defence diplomacy and enhances its global footprint in high-technology sectors.
• Reinforces India’s credibility as a trusted partner in defence collaboration.

2. Economic and Industrial

• Generates direct and indirect employment in Morocco.
• Develops a local supplier ecosystem and supports critical technology capabilities within the host nation.
• Boosts India’s defence exports while contributing to Morocco’s industrial development.

3. Technological and Strategic Autonomy

• Demonstrates India’s growing capability to design, produce, and export advanced defence systems.
• Showcases India’s transition from import dependence to a global exporter of high-end military technologies.