By Admin 
The sting of indigenous weapons is now going to ring abroad. The Tata Company’s Infantry Combat Vehicle (WAP) plant in North African country Morocco is ready. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is going to Morocco on a two -day visit on Sunday (September 21, 2025). During this time, Rajnath Singh will also inaugurate this plant of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). This is the first weapon plant in India in another country.
Rajnath Singh will hold a two -day official visit to Morocco at the invitation of Morocco National Defense Minister Abdelif Laudiya. This will be the Indian Defense Minister’s first visit to the North African country, which underlines the growing strategic cooperation between the two countries.
First Indian Defense Manufacturing Plant in Africa
The Ministry of Defense issued an official statement saying that a major attraction of the visit of TASL will be inaugurated by TASL’s Berechid (Casablanca), a new manufacturing plant of 8×8, a Vardal Armard Platform (WHAP). The plant is the first Indian defense manufacturing plant in Africa, which is an important achievement and indicative of India’s growing global presence under the self -sufficient India initiative.
In September 2024, the Ministry of Defense of Morocco signed an agreement with TASL to build a whap armored vehicles. This whap vehicle has been prepared by Tata in association with Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). A total of 12 soldiers including driver and commander can sit in these 26 tons of military vehicles. In the border and remote bumpy areas, soldiers can move very fast in these trains.
Use of special trains against terrorists
The Indian Army uses these whap vehicles for the movement of soldiers at an altitude of 17 thousand feet in East Ladakh, already bordering China. Apart from this, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is also using these special vehicles against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
The special thing is that whap is an amphibious vehicle, which can easily cross the river drains. These trains can also be used in the desert. Due to being used in Morocco, these whap vehicles have had to undergo tough tests in the desert of Africa.
Export vehicles to other countries
These armored vehicles do not affect the bullet or ammunition. The whap has a gun of 30-40 mm and the troupe commander can firing from above on the enemy through special trett. According to the agreement, construction of trains will start from TASL plant within 18 months.
This plant, spread over five acres, can be manufactured 100 whap vehicles every year. After that it is believed that these vehicles will be exported to other countries of Africa from the plant. During Rajnath Singh’s visit, defense, strategic and industrial cooperation between India and Morocco will be strengthened.
Defense Minister will meet Indian community in Rabat
Rajnath Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with Morocco’s Defense Minister Lodiyi. He will also meet Riyadh Mejur, Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco for industrial cooperation opportunities. Rajnath Singh will also meet the Indian community in Rabat, the capital of Morakes during his visit.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also expected to be signed by both sides on cooperation in the defense sector. This memorandum will provide an institutional structure to extend and deepen bilateral defense relations including exchange, training and industrial relations. In recent years, Indian Navy ships have been regularly staying at Casablanca port and this agreement will further strengthen these relations.
PM Modi’s visit to Morocco
In 2015, the relations between the two countries have gained momentum since Moroccan’s His Majesty Raja Mohammed VI met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Rajnath Singh’s visit will provide new energy to this partnership in future, especially in defense and strategic fields.
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