With a new Memorandum of Understanding and a Tata armored vehicle facility, Rajnath Singh’s maiden trip to Morocco as defense minister signifies India’s foray into the African defense industry.
A new era in India’s outreach to Africa began on Sunday when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh became the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Morocco. Senior Moroccan military officials, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Rana, and Indian community members ceremoniously welcomed Singh upon his arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport.
The Indian embassy in Morocco called the visit a “warm and historic event” in a post on X, adding that Singh was welcomed by both government representatives and a sizable contingent of citizens of Indian descent.
The visit is significance is obvious: Morocco, which has long been on the periphery of India’s diplomatic map, is now positioned as a key entry point for collaboration in defense and security.
India’s first defense base in Africa is the Tata WhAP factory.
The opening of Tata Advanced Systems’ new production plant at Berrechid, close to Casablanca, is the main event of Singh’s visit. With the help of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the facility will manufacture the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, an amphibious infantry combat vehicle.
The Indian Army is already using the WhAP in Ladakh, and it can function in a variety of environments, from mountains to deserts. Last year, Morocco and Tata signed an agreement to start local manufacture.
The Berrechid factory is the first Indian defense production complex in Africa, according to the Ministry of Defense. It will likely employ 350 people, build around 100 combat vehicles a year, and retain a significant amount of the high-end systems integration in India.
Before the opening, Singh said, “This facility represents a significant milestone in the worldwide footprint of India’s defense sector under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat project.”
Why Morocco is important to India’s defense goals
Morocco gives India power and a strategic position. The nation, which is at the intersection of Europe and Africa, has been modernizing its military while looking for new alliances outside of its usual suppliers in the US, Europe, and Israel.
Morocco is thus an ideal partner for India to demonstrate its strengths. More than merely a factory, the Casablanca facility establishes India as a reliable supplier to Africa’s rapidly expanding defense industry, which has drawn increased interest from China and Turkey.
Morocco aspires to serve as a European and African defense center. India wants to increase its presence in Africa. Both benefit from this collaboration,” a senior defense officer told The Hindu.
There is a defense cooperation memorandum on the table.
There are plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation between India and Morocco during Singh’s visit. The agreement will provide a foundation for more organized interactions, cooperative training initiatives, and stronger ties amongst industries.
In recent years, ships from the Indian Navy have already been often visiting Casablanca. By strengthening these connections, the MoU will give India a more powerful maritime presence in North Africa.
It is a visit that builds on the momentum of the last several years. Defense cooperation has steadily increased since King Mohammed VI visited Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in 2015. Morocco purchased heavy-duty defense dump trucks and 92 six-wheel military vehicles from Tata Advanced Systems last year.