In a groundbreaking move, a Tata Group company is establishing a significant defense manufacturing facility overseas, marking a first for India. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) is setting up this plant in Casablanca, Morocco, to initially produce armored vehicles for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, with plans to extend its reach across the broader African market in the future.

The plant’s primary focus will be on manufacturing the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), an amphibious infantry combat vehicle designed to handle all types of terrain. The state-of-the-art facility will have an annual production capacity of 100 combat vehicles and is expected to become operational within a year, with the first batch of WhAPs anticipated to be ready in about 18 months. These vehicles are already in limited use by the Indian Army and have been deployed in challenging terrains like the Ladakh border.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL, emphasized the significance of this project, stating, “This contract holds substantial strategic importance for TASL. It not only allows TASL to contribute to the development of Morocco’s defense ecosystem but also serves as a launchpad for our expansion into the wider African defense market.”

Singh expressed appreciation for Morocco’s support in this landmark production and supply deal. The WhAP, a collaborative effort between TASL and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), underwent rigorous trials in Africa’s desert conditions before receiving approval from the Moroccan authorities. While TASL did not disclose the contract’s financial details, it signifies a major milestone.

This initiative represents the first major greenfield defense facility established by an Indian company abroad. Although India has previously engaged in defense exports and partnered with global players for domestic production, this marks the country’s inaugural endeavor in setting up such a manufacturing unit on foreign soil. Additionally, it will be the first complete defense production facility in Morocco. The plant is expected to employ around 350 individuals, with a significant portion of the work carried out in India as well.

The establishment of this facility signifies Tata’s formal entry into the African defense market, which is projected to witness substantial growth in the coming years. TASL Morocco, a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata, will spearhead this expansion.

India has been actively promoting defense exports to African nations through various government-led initiatives, including high-level visits and presentations. This development positions India more competitively in a market that China has increasingly dominated, alongside longstanding suppliers like Russia and European countries.

The WhAP represents a remarkable public-private partnership in indigenous defense manufacturing. The eight-wheeled platform has been engineered to perform efficiently across diverse terrains, from deserts to high-altitude passes and marshy landscapes, thereby providing robust support to the Indian armed forces.