SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a key player in India’s defence manufacturing sector, has secured a significant export deal with Morocco for its Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), a versatile 8×8 armoured vehicle. The agreement, which includes both exporting the WhAP and establishing local production in Morocco, has received a further boost with the Royal Moroccan Army unveiling plans to develop multiple variants based on the WhAP baseline.
These include configurations with 105mm and 120mm cannons, as well as a specialized medical variant, signaling a deepening partnership between TASL and Morocco’s defence ecosystem.
Announced in late 2024, the initial deal involves TASL supplying 150 WhAP 8×8 units to the Royal Moroccan Army, with a Casablanca-based facility set to produce these vehicles locally under Tata Advanced Systems Maroc (TASM), a 100% TASL subsidiary. The collaboration, forged with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), aims to deliver over 400 units in various configurations over time, with local integration rates targeted to rise from 35% to 50%. This move not only strengthens Morocco’s armoured capabilities but also positions the country as a potential defence manufacturing hub in Africa, with exports eyed for neighbouring markets.
The WhAP, weighing between 20-27 tons depending on the variant, is a modular platform designed for adaptability. Its baseline configuration, equipped with a 30mm cannon and capable of amphibious operations, has already outperformed China’s Type-08 in Moroccan trials conducted in 2022, securing TASL’s foothold in the region. Powered by a 600hp Cummins diesel engine, the WhAP offers exceptional mobility across diverse terrains, bolstered by advanced protection against small arms, IEDs, and optional active protection systems.
Now, the Royal Moroccan Army is looking to expand the WhAP’s utility with new variants tailored to its operational needs. The planned WhAP 8×8 with a 105mm cannon aims to enhance its firepower for direct engagements, while a 120mm cannon variant promises even greater lethality, potentially positioning it as a light tank hunter. Additionally, a medical variant will provide battlefield evacuation and support capabilities, a critical asset for rapid-response operations. These developments reflect Morocco’s intent to diversify its armoured fleet beyond troop carriers and reconnaissance roles, leveraging the WhAP’s scalable design.
While the source of the 105mm and 120mm cannons remains unclear, Morocco’s existing inventory offers some context. The Royal Moroccan Army operates a modest fleet of T-72B/BK tanks, and Soviet-origin platforms with 125mm guns, though their numbers are limited. It also possesses a small, barely operational batch of VT-1A Al Khalid tanks, a Chinese-Pakistani collaboration featuring a 125mm gun, acquired from China.
Given the mismatch in calibre and the condition of these assets, Morocco may seek external suppliers for the WhAP’s 105mm and 120mm turrets—potentially from Europe (e.g., John Cockerill) or India itself, where DRDO and private firms like Bharat Forge have developed compatible systems. Posts on X speculate that TASL could integrate indigenous 105mm solutions, aligning with India’s export-driven “Make in India” ethos.
The medical variant, meanwhile, highlights the WhAP’s versatility. Likely retaining its 8×8 chassis for mobility, it could feature an expanded troop compartment—already modified in the Moroccan version with a larger rear door—for casualty evacuation, fitted with medical equipment instead of weaponry. This aligns with Morocco’s modernization push, replacing ageing French-supplied VAB IFVs and AML-90/60 vehicles with a unified, adaptable platform.
For TASL, this expansion builds on the WhAP’s success in outpacing competitors like the Chinese Type-08 during Morocco’s rigorous trials. The deal, cemented at the Marrakech Air Show 2024, has already drawn interest from other African nations, with TASL eyeing the continent as a growth market. CEO Sukaran Singh has emphasized the strategic importance of the Morocco facility, which will serve as an export hub while fostering local employment and technology transfer—a win-win for both nations.
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