India’s First Military Production Hub in Morocco: A New Chapter Begins During Navaratri!
For the very first time, India has established its own military production hub abroad. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the massive defense manufacturing plant in the African nation of Morocco. This milestone highlights India’s expanding global footprint in the defense sector.
Morocco is located in the northwest of Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the east, the Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. The Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Spain—just a few kilometers by sea. This geography makes Morocco strategically significant.
Since King Mohammed VI of Morocco met Prime Minister Modi in 2015, ties between the two countries have strengthened. Over the last three years, defense relations have grown steadily. As part of this progress, India’s Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. has set up a defense equipment manufacturing facility in Casablanca, Morocco.
This is the first time an Indian company has established a defense-related manufacturing plant abroad. The plant will produce Wheeled Armoured Platforms (combat armored vehicles) for the Moroccan military. Built over an area of 20,000 square meters, the plant has been developed in collaboration with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This reflects India’s indigenous defense technology and R&D ecosystem. The armored vehicles, equipped with cutting-edge features, are designed for mobility across all terrains and precision strike capability.
The plant has the capacity to produce 100 vehicles annually. This is also the first official visit of India’s Defence Minister to Morocco. Inaugurating the Tata Advanced Systems plant, Rajnath Singh described the occasion as a historic milestone in the growing friendship between the two nations.
Appreciating Morocco’s interest in defense cooperation, Singh stated that the armored vehicles manufactured here would initially use 35% local raw materials, which would increase to 50%. He also emphasized that the facility would create employment opportunities for Moroccan engineers and technicians.
By opening this advanced defense vehicle plant, India has entered new defense export markets in Africa and Europe. A defense cooperation agreement has also been signed, paving the way for collaboration in defense industry, joint military training, and capacity-building.
In addition, a comprehensive action plan has been drawn up between the two countries covering counterterrorism, maritime security, cyber defense, military medicine, and technology transfer.
In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Make in India, Make with Friends, and Make for the World,” the military production plant in Morocco stands as a symbol of India’s global ambitions.
This facility is not just an economic success for India but also a geopolitical message to the world—that India is not only a hub for defense production but also a guarantor of global security.
India’s First Military Production Hub in Morocco: A New Chapter Begins During Navaratri!
