India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hailed on Tuesday the inauguration of the TATA Advanced Systems Morocco (TASM) plant in Berrechid, Casablanca region, as a landmark moment in the strategic partnership between Morocco and India.
Speaking at the ceremony, Singh voiced his deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI and to the Moroccan government for their steadfast support, underlining that this project represents the first Indian defense production unit overseas, a step he described as both historic and forward-looking.
The Berrechid facility, designed for the production of WhAP 8×8 armored combat vehicles, will serve as a center of excellence for defense research, design, and industrial innovation, Singh explained. He stressed that the plant will attract young talent, foster creativity, and generate new technologies with shared benefits for Morocco and India alike.
For several years, the two countries have worked to strengthen ties across multiple areas, achieving what Singh called “remarkable results” in renewable energy, fertilizers, information technology, and tourism — now expanded to include defense cooperation.
For his part, Sukaran Singh, CEO of Tata Advanced Systems, emphasized that the inauguration of the Berrechid plant constitutes a major milestone for the Indian defense industry. “This is not only an industrial investment,” he said, “but also a lasting commitment to innovation and shared development.”
The project is expected to create a significant number of skilled jobs and contribute to deepening technological and industrial cooperation between Rabat and New Delhi, further reinforcing bilateral relations in a high-value sector.
The inauguration was attended by Abdeltif Loudyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of the National Defense Administration, and Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade, alongside senior officials and representatives from both countries.
According to a statement by Morocco’s National Defense Administration, the inauguration was carried out in execution of the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).
The TASM plant is the outcome of an investment agreement signed in September 2024 between Morocco’s National Defense Administration, India’s Ministry of Defense, and TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). It reflects the shared ambition of both nations to build a durable and forward-looking defense partnership.
Located in the Berrechid industrial zone, the facility officially launches production of the WhAP 8×8 armored combat vehicles, which will serve both the Royal Armed Forces and international markets with high demand for advanced defense solutions.
This structuring project, initiated under the High Royal Directives, aims not only to gradually equip Morocco with greater industrial and technological autonomy in defense, but also to act as a catalyst for the growth of an innovative industrial ecosystem capable of generating sustainable employment.
In the eyes of both governments, the project underscores a clear commitment: to transform Morocco into a hub for advanced defense manufacturing, while reinforcing India’s footprint as a global defense technology partner.
