India’s First Overseas Defence Facility in Morocco | 24 Sep 2025

Source: PIB

The Defence Minister of India inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) defence manufacturing facility in Morocco and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation with Morocco, marking a historic milestone in India-Morocco defence ties.

• Significance: It is the first overseas defence facility by an Indian private company; largest defence manufacturing plant in Morocco.
  • The facility supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and represents India’s Make in India, Make with Friends, Make for the World strategy.
  • It strengthens India-Morocco strategic partnership, local capacity, and contributes to regional security.
  • Morocco’s strategic location as gateway to Africa and Europe enhances export potential and bilateral defence cooperation.
• Facility Purpose: Production of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8, jointly designed by TASL and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The WhAP is an indigenously developed modular combat vehicle offering advanced protection, mobility, and versatility.
  • It can be configured as an infantry fighting vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, command post, mortar carrier, or ambulance, with options for remote weapon stations and anti-tank missiles.

Morocco

• It is a mountainous country in western North Africa, located across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. 
• It is bordered by Western Sahara (south) and Algeria (east), with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean (west) and Mediterranean Sea (north), making it the only African country with access to both.
• Geographically, Morocco features the High Atlas Mountains. Its highest point is Mount Toubkal, which is also the tallest peak in the Atlas Mountains. The Draa River is the longest river in the country.