Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Morocco marks a significant step in bolstering defense ties between India and the African continent. A pivotal aspect of his trip involves the inauguration of India’s inaugural overseas defense manufacturing unit located in Casablanca, Morocco. This move highlights the strengthening defense partnership between India and Morocco.
India views Morocco as a strategically important hub to expand its defense exports across Africa. The new defense factory will enable India to ramp up its defense exports to various African countries.
The recently established defense manufacturing unit in Morocco is a collaborative venture between the Indian firm Tata and the Moroccan military. The unit’s primary objective is to manufacture specialized military vehicles, specifically the 8×8 Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP). These vehicles are engineered to function effectively on diverse terrains, encompassing both land and water environments.
The unit’s operations will commence with the production of vehicles for the Moroccan army. The long-term plan involves expanding production to supply vehicles to other African nations. This endeavor is particularly notable as it represents Africa’s first facility dedicated to producing defense products for India, aligning with India’s self-reliance goals. The facility anticipates an annual production capacity of around 100 vehicles, generating employment for approximately 350 individuals. Furthermore, the production of certain WhAP components will also take place in India.