Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Morocco counterpart Abdelatif Loudyi jointly inaugurate Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid on September 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s maiden visit to Morocco to inaugurate India’s first overseas defence manufacturing facility has marked the beginning of a new chapter in the long-standing friendship between India and Morocco.On Tuesday (September 23, 2025), Mr. Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdelatif Loudyi jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid. The plant will produce India’s indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), making it a significant milestone in India’s growing global defence footprint.A senior Defence Ministry official described Morocco as a gateway to Africa and a potential market for Indian defence equipment, particularly as the continent grapples with challenges such as terrorism, insurgencies, and internal conflicts. “There is a strong demand in Africa for small arms, bulletproof jackets, armoured vehicles, tanks, and helicopters. This is the right time for India to strengthen its presence in the African defence market by also establishing Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities. Russia has traditionally been the major supplier to the continent, but the Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions disrupted its supply chains. Since India has long experience with Russian defence equipment as a major importer, it has a better understanding of maintaining these systems,” the official noted.Mr. Singh’s visit comes against the backdrop of deepening India–Africa defence engagements. On the sidelines of Aero India 2025, he held bilateral meetings with delegations from Algeria, Tanzania, and Zambia. Another official confirmed that Egypt has shown interest in acquiring India’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv — a development described as “remarkable” for Indian defence manufacturers.“Rajnath Singh’s Morocco visit marked a first by an Indian Defence Minister, achieving two key milestones: a defence cooperation agreement and the launch of Tata Advanced Systems’ WhAP 8×8 plant in Berrechid — the first Indian defence unit in Africa,” said ambassador Sujan Chinoy, DG of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), who also noted that Morocco could serve as India’s defence gateway to Africa and a partner against terrorism and maritime threats.India’s outreach to Africa aligns with its Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative in defence manufacturing launched in 2019. Significantly, Mr. Singh’s first overseas visit as Defence Minister after assuming office was to Mozambique, underlining Africa’s importance in India’s strategic calculus. In 2023, he also travelled to Nigeria to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.Historical linksOn India’s defence outreach to African nations, Professor Harsh V. Pant, Vice-President – Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation, said, ”India is expanding its defence outreach, particularly focusing on enhancing defence exports. Africa presents good opportunities due to historical links and strategic comfort levels with India. India straddles a unique position in global politics by not being part of either the U.S.-China or Russia-West binaries. India’s ability to effectively compete depends on the expansion of its defence manufacturing capability. Marketing its products, showcasing operational successes, and cost-effectiveness are crucial for India. Sanctions against Russia may create opportunities for India in the African market due to its neutral stance.”“African countries are being given priority at Defence Expos. Engagement has increased through joint exercises and dialogues. The Indian Navy, in particular, has stepped up its port calls to African nations and expanded both bilateral and multilateral naval exercises,” an official said.Officials also underlined that Mr. Singh’s Morocco visit signals a new phase in India–Africa defence cooperation, coming just ahead of the India–Africa Forum Summit scheduled next year. India and African nations have expanded ties through training, capacity building, and joint exercises. Platforms such as the India–Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD), the India–Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave (IADMC), and the Africa–India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) naval exercise with 10 African countries highlight this growing partnership.India’s defence industry has already been making inroads. In 2023, eight public sector and two private companies showcased their products and services at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo, highlighting not only the quality of Indian systems but also their reliable after-sales support.Earlier, in 2020, India and 50 African countries adopted the Lucknow Declaration at the first India–Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave held during DefExpo in Lucknow. This structured dialogue was subsequently renamed the India–Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) during DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar. The following year, the first edition of the India–Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave was organised in Pune on the sidelines of the second Africa–India Joint Exercise AFINDEX. Published - September 25, 2025 07:50 pm IST
