India inaugurates its first overseas defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco. Tata Advanced Systems, in collaboration with DRDO, will produce the indigenously designed WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicles for the Royal Moroccan Army. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the plant as a historic milestone, boosting India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, employment, and export-ready defence capabilities.

Berrechid / New Delhi: In a historic milestone, India has opened its first overseas defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco, marking a major leap in New Delhi’s strategic global outreach. The facility has been set up by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Rajnath Singh and Moroccan Counterpart Jointly Inaugurate Plant

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdelatif Loudyi jointly inaugurated the facility, calling it a “historic moment in India-Morocco ties.”

The plant will manufacture the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP 8×8) for the Royal Moroccan Army, with deliveries set to begin next month.

Jointly inaugurated the Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco with my counterpart Mr Abdelatif Loudyi.

For India, self-reliance does not mean isolation; rather, we aim to develop strategic autonomy under… pic.twitter.com/cjnCPWYP4r

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 23, 2025

Morocco’s Largest Defence Manufacturing Facility

Spread over 20,000 square metres, the Berrechid facility is now Morocco’s largest defence manufacturing hub and the first such overseas venture by an Indian private company in Africa.

TASL CEO Sukaran Singh confirmed that the facility began operations three months ahead of schedule and has already started production.

WhAP 8×8: Next-Generation Combat Vehicle

The WhAP 8×8 is a versatile modular platform jointly designed by TASL and DRDO. It can be configured as an:

• Infantry fighting vehicle

• Armoured personnel carrier

• Command post

• Reconnaissance vehicle

• Armoured ambulance

• Mortar carrier

This cutting-edge technology will enhance Morocco’s defence preparedness while creating opportunities for regional exports.

Boost to India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Defence Exports

Rajnath Singh underlined that India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat goes beyond self-reliance, aiming to make the country a credible exporter of advanced technology and defence systems.

He noted that Morocco’s strategic location as a gateway to Africa and Europe will turn this facility into a key hub for exports and international collaboration.

Employment and Technology Ecosystem

The new facility has already generated direct and indirect employment, helping to build a local supplier ecosystem and supporting critical technology capabilities within Morocco.

“This is not just the launch of a new plant, but the beginning of a new chapter in the friendship between India and Morocco,” Singh remarked.