Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday became the first-ever Indian Defence Minister to visit Morocco, marking a new chapter in India’s outreach to Africa. Singh arrived at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport to a ceremonial welcome by senior Moroccan military officials, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Rana, and members of the Indian community.
In a post on X, the Indian embassy in Morocco described the visit as a “warm and historic moment,” noting that Singh was received not only by government officials but also by a large turnout of Indian-origin residents.
The symbolism of the visit is clear: Morocco, long on the margins of India’s diplomatic map, is now being cast as a strategic gateway for defence and security cooperation.
Tata’s WhAP plant: India’s first defence base in Africa
The centrepiece of Singh’s visit is the inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems’ new manufacturing facility at Berrechid, near Casablanca. The plant will assemble the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8, an amphibious infantry combat vehicle co-developed with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Already deployed in Ladakh by the Indian Army, the WhAP is designed to operate across terrains ranging from deserts to mountains. Morocco had inked a deal with Tata last year to begin local production.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Berrechid facility is the first-ever Indian defence manufacturing plant in Africa. It is expected to produce around 100 combat vehicles annually, employ 350 people, and keep a large portion of the high-end systems integration in India.
“This facility marks an important milestone in the global footprint of India’s defence industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative,” Singh said ahead of the inauguration.
Why Morocco matters for India’s defence ambitions
Morocco offers India both location and leverage. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, the country has been modernising its armed forces while seeking new partnerships beyond its traditional suppliers in the US, Europe, and Israel.
For India, this makes Morocco a natural partner to showcase its capabilities. The plant in Casablanca is more than just a factory, it positions India as a credible supplier to Africa’s fast-growing defence market, which has seen increasing interest from China and Turkey.
“Morocco wants to be a defence hub for Africa and Europe. India wants to expand its footprint in Africa. This partnership serves both,” a senior defence official told The Hindu.
MoU on defence cooperation on the table
During Singh’s visit, India and Morocco are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation. The agreement will provide a framework for structured exchanges, joint training programmes, and closer industry-to-industry linkages.
Indian Navy ships have already been making regular port calls at Casablanca in recent years. The MoU will further consolidate these ties, giving India a stronger maritime presence in North Africa.
This visit builds on momentum generated in recent years. In 2015, King Mohammed VI met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, and since then, defence cooperation has gradually expanded. Last year, Morocco procured 92 six-wheel military trucks from Tata Advanced Systems, along with heavy-duty defence dump trucks.
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