Indian Council of World Affairs

Abstract: India has emerged as a major defence partner for Morocco in recent times with immense potential for defence industry cooperation and arms import. For India, Morocco could be a favourable destination for furthering its defence diplomacy and exploring opportunities in African countries. Advancing the debate, the article deals with how India fits into Morocco’s aspirations for defence modernisation and industry cooperation to build its military-industrial complex.  
 
Introduction 

On 09 and 10 December 2024, India’s embassy in Morocco, the respective defence ministries, and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) organised a joint India-Morocco defence industry seminar at Rabat.[i] The seminar welcomed India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities and addressed the Moroccan government’s commitment to offer a state-of-the-art environment with profitability and zero bureaucracy, besides lucrative defence collaborative projects, to the Indian defence firms. Through the defence industry seminar, India and Morocco have taken a step forward to the previous defence agreement signed between Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL), a subsidiary of the Tata Group, and Morocco’s National Defence Administration (ADN) to manufacture 100 WhAP combat vehicles annually at Casablanca under a new factory, Tata Advanced Systems Marco (TASM). With the Moroccan invitation, Tata Group is set to establish its first overseas defence facility, India’s first in Morocco. 

Morocco’s Geopolitics and Security Arrangements 

Morocco is located in the northwestern region of the African continent, adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Morocco’s location, as a bridge between Europe and Africa, is geopolitically significant in terms of trade and connectivity. Its territory is separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, a crucial sea lane and trade route. It is, therefore, pertinent to establish and maintain peace and stability in the region to safeguard the trade and connectivity routes and economic dependence on them. 

Morocco’s vast landmass, surrounded equally by land and water, requires concrete defence systems to protect its territory from land- and sea-based threats. Assessing the threat perception, the Moroccan government has reached out to India, amongst other countries, to assist in establishing their domestic defence industry. Acknowledging India’s development in the defence manufacturing sector, the Moroccan government has invited India to establish their defence firms on its territory. As concluded in the three-year contract announced in September last year, the TASM will manufacture Wheeled Armoured Platform — (WhAP) 8x8 — ground combat vehicles for the Moroccan security forces.[ii] The defence contract between the Tata Group and the ADN is part of a broader cooperation to build Morocco’s defence industry and manufacturing capability. The cooperation is expected to generate 90 direct and 250 indirect jobs, contributing to its GDP and national economy.[iii] Morocco has further planned to increase the indigenous content in the local production of WhAP from 35 per cent to 50 per cent over the 36-month contract period.[iv]   

WhAP and its multiple variants are the flagship products of Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). WhAP is India’s first amphibious combat-wheeled vehicle for the frontline forces to sustain all-terrain and all-weather performance with improved survivability, mobility and lethality. Designed for diverse military operations, the WhAP is equipped with enhanced firepower, protection, mobility, logistics, reconnaissance and troop and equipment transportation. The basis for the defence cooperation between the two countries was paved in September 2018, when the officials of the respective governments held a bilateral meeting to discuss several potential cooperation areas, such as IT and communication, hydrography, telemedicine and counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism.[v] Discussions were also held on peacekeeping, defence industry cooperation and collaboration in shipbuilding and manufacturing support. Later in June 2024, Morocco set up two military industry zones to attract foreign investments in developing domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and produce high-quality arms, military combat vehicles and equipment with foreign assistance thereby strengthening its national security and interests.[vi]

Morocco has been one of the largest arms importers in Africa, alongside Egypt, South Africa, Angola, and Algeria. However, its import has declined in recent years. In October last year, Morocco increased its annual defence budget from $12.5 billion in 2024 to $13 billion in 2025, an increment of 6 per cent to modernise the Royal Armed Forces with the latest arms and equipment, bolster national defence and strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.[vii] The US has been the largest arms exporter in Morocco, amounting to over $8.54 billion in foreign military sales.[viii] However, the high cost and over-reliance on US arms could have motivated the Moroccan administration to find alternatives. 

Morocco’s decline in arms imports and increase in the defence budget outline its motives of reducing arms dependence on traditional partners while developing military-industrial complexes by diversifying its sources. Moreover, the defence industry cooperation with India could also benefit Morocco by creating job opportunities for the local population and contributing to its national income.       

What Could India Offer? 

Given the deepening ties and engagement between India and Africa, the security of Africa is critical to New Delhi’s strategic interests. The first India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD), as an institutional mechanism, held on the sidelines of DefExpo at Lucknow in February 2020 indicates that India has started prioritising strengthening its defence engagement with Africa.[ix] India has already established deeper security cooperation with several African states, including the island nations. However, Morocco’s determination to develop its defence industry could provide India access to explore and strengthen ties with the North African countries beyond cooperation with Egypt.      

Defence cooperation with India could benefit Morocco in several ways. Situated on the outskirts of the Sahara, Morocco could take advantage of India’s war experiences in desert or arid terrain. Besides WhAP combat vehicles, India can offer a wide range of defensive arms and equipment to Morocco, such as Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), lightweight tanks and anti-tank systems, Pinaka MBRL and Armoured Personal Carriers (APC), amongst other specialised in desert warfare. In January 2023, as first reported by the India-based Indian Defence Research Wing, Morocco procured 92 LPTA 2445 six-wheeled military vehicles manufactured by Tata Advanced System.[x]

Morocco’s proximity to Europe has led to illegal migration and a refugee crisis, a grave security concern for Rabat, which places significant importance on the EU’s migration policy and strategy. Morocco’s direct access to the high seas could also be a significant prospect for India’s defence and shipbuilding industries, which have greater potential in manufacturing sea-based defence equipment. India could offer military articles, such as Fast Patrol Vehicles (FPVs), corvettes, frigates, submarines, aircraft carriers and other naval equipment for intelligence gathering, patrolling and security of their coastal borders. To counter the air-based threats, India’s indigenous LCA Tejas, Dhruv LCH, Astra air-to-air missiles, sensors and radars, drones and anti-drone systems and air-defence systems, amongst others, could be significant prospects for the Moroccan security forces.   

Morocco has been aspiring to develop its drone industry, especially since it signed an agreement with Israel’s BlueBird Aero systems in 2021 for the local production of drones in Rabat. Later in February 2022, Morocco signed another $500 million contract to acquire the Barak MX air and missile defence system manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).[xi] Following Morocco’s drone determination, India could tap this opportunity. India’s drone industry, which is still in its nascent phase, is anticipated to grow from $654 million in 2024 to $1.44 billion by 2029,[xii] where Morocco could be a favourable destination for India’s drone manufacturers and emerging start-ups.     

In the maritime domain too, there is huge untapped potential for collaboration between the two countries’ naval forces. In December 2024, INS Tushil, as part of strengthening the naval cooperation, visited the post at Casablanca. The two navies also held Passage Exercise (PASSEX) at sea to improve interoperability and share the goodwill practices. Besides this visit, three Indian naval ships, INS Tabar, INS Tarkash and INS Sumedha, have visited Casablanca in the past 12 months, exploring further avenues of maritime cooperation and capacity building through joint naval exercises.[xiii]

Finally, India’s defence equipment, capable of operating on land, air and water, could also be used for humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) operations during natural disasters, such as earthquakes, cyclones and flash floods.    

Conclusion 

India’s arms export strategy revolves around several factors: first, to support and furnish the requirements of friendly foreign countries; second, the sale of defensive rather than offensive arms and equipment; third, promoting defence diplomacy through ‘Make in India’ and arms export; and fourth, India believes neither in destabilising regional peace and stability nor in creating a crisis to support its defence industry instead its defence exports are to develop a feeling of security in the recipient countries in the face of perceived threats. India’s defence exports also give India stakes in different regions of the world and a role in impacting global geopolitics. 

Defence cooperation with India could be a major milestone for Morocco’s national defence and aspirations of building a healthy military-industrial complex. Morocco, which has traditionally spun around Europe, Africa and the Arab world, could also be a significant avenue for India’s defence production and export destinations, mainly in the northern African region. Touted as a gateway to Europe and Africa, Morocco could promote and lead India’s defence diplomacy in the nearby region through arms trade, industry cooperation and capacity building.

*****

*Mukesh Kumar, Research Associate, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.

Endnotes 

[i] Peri, Dinakar. “Morocco Welcomes Indian Defence Companies to Set up Shop.” The Hindu, December 15, 2024, sec. India. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/morocco-welcomes-indian-defence-companies-to-set-up-shop/article68989242.ece.

[ii] Faouzi, Adil. “‘We Want You in Morocco’: North African Country Welcomes India Defense Investment.” Morocco World News, December 16, 2024. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2024/12/367013/we-want-you-in-morocco-north-african-country-welcomes-india-defense-investment.

[iii] Africa, Military. “Morocco Launches Domestic Production of Indian WhAP 8×8 Armored Combat Vehicle.” Military Africa (blog), September 30, 2024. https://www.military.africa/2024/09/morocco-launches-domestic-production-of-indian-whap-8x8-armored-combat-vehicle/.

[iv] Ibid

[v] “India and Morocco Agreed to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation in the Field of Defence and Security.” Accessed January 24, 2025. https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183687.

[vi] Halligan, Neil. “Morocco Plans to Increase Its Military Spending in Budget.” AGBI, October 23, 2024. https://www.agbi.com/industry/2024/10/morocco-plans-to-increase-its-military-spending/.

[vii] Alaoui, Mohamed. “Morocco Raises Defence Budget to Boost Capabilities, Local Industry.” The Arab Weekly, October 21, 2024. https://thearabweekly.com/morocco-raises-defence-budget-boost-capabilities-local-industry.

[viii] United States Department of State. “US Security Cooperation with Morocco.” Accessed January 22, 2025. https://www.state.gov/u-s-security-cooperation-with-morocco/.

[ix] Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Lucknow Declaration: 1st India Africa Defence Ministers Conclave, 2020.” Accessed January 23, 2025. https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/32378/Lucknow_Declaration_1st_India_Africa_Defence_Ministers_Conclave_2020.

[x] “Royal Moroccan Army to Expand Fleet of Tata 6×6 Trucks Following Successful Deployment – Indian Defence Research Wing.” Accessed January 23, 2025. https://idrw.org/royal-moroccan-army-to-expand-fleet-of-tata-6x6-trucks-following-successful-deployment/.

[xi] Rabat, Basma El Atti ــ. “Morocco to Host Israeli Drone Site amid Anti-Israel Uproar.” https://www.newarab.com/, April 16, 2024. https://www.newarab.com/news/morocco-host-israeli-drone-site-amid-anti-israel-uproar.

[xii] Markets, Research and. “India Drone Market Forecast to 2029: Growing Emphasis on Precision Farming, Surging Demand for Surveillance and Border Security Drones.” GlobeNewswire News Room, June 27, 2024. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/27/2905370/28124/en/India-Drone-Market-Forecast-to-2029-Growing-Emphasis-on-Precision-Farming-Surging-Demand-for-Surveillance-and-Border-Security-Drones.html.

[xiii] “INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TUSHIL AT CASABLANCA, MOROCCO.” Accessed January 24, 2025. http://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2088564.