Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is currently in Morocco, where he is engaged in bilateral discussions with Moroccan officials. A key highlight of his visit is the inauguration of India’s first overseas defense manufacturing facility in Casablanca, Morocco. This trip underscores the growing defense partnership between New Delhi and Rabat.
Morocco is proving to be a strategic entry point for India’s efforts to boost defense exports across Africa. Through this overseas defense factory, India aims to accelerate its defense exports to African nations.
The new defense manufacturing unit in Morocco has been established through a partnership between the Indian company Tata and the Moroccan military. The primary function of this unit is the production of a special type of military vehicle known as the 8×8 Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP). These vehicles are designed to operate effectively on all types of terrain, including water.
The unit will initially manufacture vehicles for the Moroccan army. Subsequently, it plans to produce more vehicles for sale to other African countries. This project is significant as it marks Africa’s first factory producing defense products for India. It also supports India’s goal of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). The unit is projected to manufacture approximately 100 vehicles annually, employing around 350 people. Additionally, some parts of the WhAP will be manufactured in India.