 "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be in Morocco next week. File Photo/PTI")
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility in Morocco during his two-day visit to the North African country from September 22 to 23. This is the first official trip by an Indian defence minister to Morocco, as per an official release.
The visit comes as New Delhi and Rabat strengthen their defence ties. Morocco is shaping up to be the launchpad for India’s aim to step up defence exports in Africa.
Let’s take a closer look.
India’s 1st overseas defence facility
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will unveil the Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) plant in Casablanca’s Berrechid. The facility has been set up in partnership with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces.
The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8 will be assembled at the plant. Developed jointly by TASL and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it is an amphibious infantry combat vehicle capable of operating in all types of terrain.
The eight-wheeled platform is already in service with the Indian Army in a limited capacity and has been deployed at the Ladakh border.
Morocco had signed an agreement with the Tata Group for manufacturing the WhAP 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle last September.
“This facility is the first-ever Indian defence manufacturing plant in Africa, which marks an important milestone that reflects the growing global footprint of India’s defence industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The factory is expected to produce 100 combat vehicles every year, Economic Times reported in September 2024. It will employ around 350 people and a major part of the work will be done in India as well.
This gives a fillip to India’s plans to expand defence production for the larger African market, which is expected to significantly grow in the coming years.
As per The Hindu, the factory in Casablanca is a “strategic milestone” for India’s defence industry, with a boost to overseas manufacturing and deeper diplomatic and security ties in Africa.
Rajnath Singh’s Morocco trip
During his trip to the North African country, Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with Morocco’s Minister Delegate of National Defence, Abdellatif Loudiyi, to bolster defence, strategic and industry cooperation.
The Indian defence minister will also call on Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour to “explore avenues for industrial collaboration,” as per the ministry’s statement.
India and Morocco are likely to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in defence. “The MoU will provide an institutional framework to expand and deepen bilateral defence engagement, including exchanges, training, and industrial linkages. Indian Navy ships have been making regular port calls at Casablanca in recent years, and this agreement will further consolidate such ties,” the statement read.
Singh will also meet the Indian community in Rabat during his official visit.
Growing defence ties between India-Morocco
India and Morocco have deepened defence ties. Rajnath Singh’s visit to the North African country indicates a new phase in India–Africa Defence engagement, which comes ahead of the India–Africa Forum Summit next year, officials told The Hindu.
Last year, Loudyi, who is also Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of the Government, said they would like “to offer state-of-the-art environment, zero bureaucracy, and profitability for Indian defence companies”. He also projected Morocco as a gateway to Africa and Europe for Indian companies.
In 2023, Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces received 92 six-wheel military trucks manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems. Last year, the North African country signed a deal with the Tata Group to procure LPTA 2445 Defence Dump Trucks, designed for heavy-duty missions. These vehicles can carry construction materials, water and supplies across harsh terrains.
The enhanced defence cooperation comes as Morocco aims to make its military modern and well-equipped. The United States, Israel and China are some other defence suppliers to the African country.
India has also been seeking to increase its defence exports to Africa. Several government initiatives, including bilateral visits and presentations by the government, indicate the push into the African market.
With inputs from agencies