Morocco to Produce WhAP 8x8 Combat Vehicles in Partnership with India’s Tata Group

The National Defense Administration and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of the international conglomerate Tata Group, are joining forces for the local production of the WhAP 8x8 armored combat vehicle at the plant called TATA Advanced Systems Morocco (TASM). The investment agreement providing for the system of financial, tax and customs incentives was signed by the ministers representing the Departments of National Defense, Interior, Finance, Industry and Investment, in the presence of representatives of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces and AMDIE, according to a statement from the National Defense Administration.

The signing of this investment agreement is to meet local demand and exports to foreign markets, the same source points out. According to the National Defense Administration, this echoes Morocco’s ambition and TASL’s desire to jointly develop South-South cooperation links and a regional hub for the production of defense mobility equipment.

Furthermore, this project places Morocco at the center of attention as a hub for defense development and opens up promising prospects for investors interested in the defense and high-tech sectors. It not only contributes to meeting local needs, but also aims to make Morocco an emerging regional player in the defense industry, the same source points out.

This project also strengthens the historical ties between Morocco and India, two emerging economies whose strategic cooperation in the defense sector is growing, notes the National Defense Administration. It will be carried out within a maximum period of thirty-six months with a local integration rate of 35% reaching 50% in the end. It will generate 90 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs.

Already recognized for its global expertise in the manufacture of defense systems, Tata Advanced Systems Limited is becoming one of the first international players to invest in this sector in Morocco.