Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with his Moroccan counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi, inaugurated India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco. Built by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), the plant will produce the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, jointly developed with India’s DRDO.
This is the first such venture by an Indian private company in Africa and also Morocco’s largest defence‑manufacturing facility. Deliveries to the Royal Moroccan Army are expected to start next month.
Spanning 20,000 sq. m, the plant came online ahead of schedule and has already begun production. TASL says it has created direct and indirect jobs, established local supplier networks, and strengthened technology capabilities in Morocco.
At the launch, Rajnath Singh emphasized that India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision extends beyond domestic demand. The aim is to build capabilities that position India as a global source of advanced defence technology and high‑quality products. He described the facility as a milestone in India‑Morocco strategic ties, noting Morocco’s strategic location as a gateway for exports across Africa and Europe.
