Rajnath Singh, Moroccan counterpart inaugurate Tata defence plant in Morocco

New Delhi, Sep 23: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi on Tuesday jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) new defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco.

Spread over 20,000 square metres, it is the Kingdom’s largest defence plant and the first such facility set up in Africa by an Indian private company.

The unit will produce the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8, designed by TASL and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Equipped with advanced mobility, protection and mission adaptability, the WhAP can be configured as an infantry fighting vehicle, armoured personnel carrier, reconnaissance platform, command post or ambulance. Deliveries to the Royal Moroccan Army will begin next month, with production commencing three months ahead of schedule.

Calling the inauguration a “historic moment” in India-Morocco ties, Rajnath Singh said the project reflects India’s approach of “Make in India, Make with Friends and Make for the World.” He underlined that the facility will generate local employment, build a strong supplier ecosystem and enhance Morocco’s defence self-reliance, with up to 50 percent local value addition in the coming years.

Rajnath Singh added that Morocco’s strategic location makes the facility a potential hub for defence exports to Africa and Europe, deepening bilateral defence ties and contributing to regional stability. Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, senior officials from the Royal Armed Forces, the Indian government and TASL were present at the ceremony.