Rabat – Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) announced today the delivery of the first batch of its WhAP 8×8 armored vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Army (FAR).
This latest acquisition by the FAR further strengthens the rapidly evolving defense cooperation between India and Morocco, with the Indian manufacturer describing the news as a “proud milestone!”
“Strengthening partnerships. Delivering proven capability. Made in Morocco,” the group said on X.
The delivery of the military equipment to Morocco’s army comes a few months after Morocco and India launched a new defense factory in Berrechid.
Named TATA Advanced Systems Maroc, the factory is the fruit of a strong partnership between Morocco’s Administration of National Defense and India’s Ministry of Defense, along with the TATA Advanced Systems Limited.
The project aims to serve Morocco’s industrial and technological defense needs, boosting the country’s innovation and creation of jobs.
The factory will use 45% of locally produced components to reach 50% in the future by training Moroccan talent.
Read also: What to Know About India’s New Tata Armored Vehicle Plant in Morocco
Tata Advanced Systems CEO Sukaran Singh called the facility a “new chapter in the strategic partnership between Morocco and India.”
The Berrechid plant will produce the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 combat vehicles designed by Tata Advanced Systems.
In addition, the plant is expected to generate 90 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs, with the aim of driving economic growth in the region.
Morocco is one of the largest arms purchasers in Africa. Morocco’s military spending increased by 2.6% in 2024, reaching $5.5 billion, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
SIPRI’s report, which was published this week, further indicated that military spending by North African countries reached a total of $30.2 billion in 2024, representing an 8.8 % from 223 and by 43% from 2015. Algeria and Morocco accounted for 90% of this impressive subregional total.
