The National Defense Administration has signed a strategic partnership with the Indian company Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the local production of the WhAP 8×8 ground combat vehicle in Morocco. This project, executed under the directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aims to modernize the capabilities of the Royal Armed Forces, while strengthening the strategic independence of the kingdom in the field of defense.
The agreement aimed at modernizing and strengthening the operational capabilities of the Royal Armed Forces, while aiming to consolidate national independence and sovereignty, particularly with regard to defensive mobility equipment, the National Defense Administration and the company “Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)”, a subsidiary of the international group Tata Group, have signed a strategic partnership for the local production of the land combat vehicle (WhAP 8×8) at the Tata Advanced Systems – Morocco (TASM) factory ).
The National Defense Administration specified that this project also strengthens the historic ties between Morocco and India, two emerging economies whose strategic cooperation in the defense sector is booming. The same document added that the investment agreement, which provides for financial, tax and customs incentive measures, was signed by ministers representing the sectors of national defense, interior, finance, industry and investment, in the presence of representatives of the General Command of the Royal Armed Forces and the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development.
He also underlined that the signing of this investment agreement responds to both local demand and export to international markets, highlighting the ambition of Morocco and Tata Advanced Systems Limited to jointly develop relations of South-South cooperation and to establish a regional hub for the production of defensive mobility equipment.
This affirmed that this project places Morocco at the center of attention as a development pole in the field of defense and opens promising prospects for investors interested in the defense and advanced technology sectors.
He continued by specifying that the partnership between the National Defense Administration and Tata Advanced Systems – Morocco (TASM) is part of a broader dynamic of development of the defense industry in Morocco, aiming to gradually establish autonomy strategic, emphasizing that the factory will benefit from local supply resources, which will support the Kingdom’s industrial ecosystem and create new jobs.
He recalled that Tata Advanced Systems Limited, recognized for its global expertise in the manufacturing of defense systems, has become one of the first international players to invest in Morocco in this sector, stressing that this project not only contributes to meeting the needs local, but also aims to make Morocco an emerging regional player in defense industries.
Thus, he specified that this project will be carried out within a maximum period of 36 months, with a local integration rate in employment of 35%, which will reach 50% once the project is completed. This will create 90 direct jobs and 250 indirect jobs.
