Tata Advanced Systems Limited hands over first lot of WhAP 8x8 armoured vehicles to Royal Moroccan Army

Key facts

• Tata Advanced Systems Limited announced the handover of the first lot of WhAP 8x8 armoured vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Army.
• The WhAP 8x8 platform has been jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
• TASL will manufacture 150 Wheeled Armoured Platform combat vehicles for the Moroccan defence forces under the contract.
• Deliveries are to be completed within three years.
• The deal is described as the largest contract for Indian-made armoured vehicles, both within India and overseas.
• The Berrechid facility, spread over 20,000 square metres, was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Moroccan Minister Abdelatif Loudyi.
• The facility became operational three months ahead of schedule and is the first defence manufacturing plant established by an Indian private company in Africa.
• Approximately one-third of the components and sub-systems will be sourced and assembled locally from the outset, with the share of local value addition rising to 50 percent in the coming years.
• The WhAP 8x8 is a modular combat vehicle configurable for roles including infantry fighting vehicle, armoured personnel carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, command post, mortar carrier, and ambulance.
• The platform features a survivable monocoque hull, scalable ballistic and mine protection, independent suspension, central tyre inflation system, and amphibious capability.