Morocco Launches First Armored Vehicle Plant, Bolstering Defense Industry

Morocco is about to take a major step in the development of its defense industry and its strategic partnership with India. According to the Indian Ambassador to Rabat, Sanjay Rana, the kingdom will proceed next Monday in Berrechid to the inauguration of its first Moroccan plant dedicated to the manufacture of wheeled armored military vehicles WhAP 8x8, also known as Kestrel. Named Tata Advanced Systems Morocco (TASM), this plant should produce 100 vehicles per year, with a total of more than 400 units expected, of which 150 will be directly intended for the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).

Tata Advanced Systems Morocco (TASM) will generate 100 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs. Moroccan employees who have received specialized training in India will work in this plant. This will boost the local economy through the development of technical and industrial skills. For now, the cost of the investment has not yet been disclosed. The ambassador stressed the strategic importance of the project, at the crossroads of industrial, commercial and security issues.

Rajnath Singh, the Indian Minister of Defense, will be present at the inauguration ceremony of the plant. He is already in Rabat as part of a working visit, which will be marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement with Abdellatif Loudiyi, the Delegate Minister in charge of the National Defense Administration, as well as a meeting with Ryad Mezzour, the Minister of Industry and Trade. "This visit aims to consolidate the strategic partnership between India and Morocco and underscores the importance the two countries attach to strengthening cooperation in the areas of defense, industry and trade," Rana concluded.

This initiative will allow Morocco to reduce its dependence on imports of military equipment and increase its industrial autonomy.