https://sputniknews.in/20250924/indias-morocco-defence-facility-to-emerge-as-a-hub-of-military-exports-expert-9817800.html
India's Morocco Defence Facility to Emerge as a Hub of Military Exports: Expert
India's Morocco Defence Facility to Emerge as a Hub of Military Exports: Expert
Sputnik India
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited's (TASL) brand new production unit for the Wheeled Armoured Platform... 24.09.2025, Sputnik India
2025-09-24T19:36+0530
2025-09-24T19:36+0530
2025-09-24T19:36+0530
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India's first private sector defence manufacturing plant in Morocco, also its first in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, will pave the way for the country to emerge as a military export powerhouse there, an expert has said.According to him, this unit is set to emerge as a hub of India's military exports for a few reasons.First, the location is strategic. Morocco is at the crossroads of North and West Africa and close to Europe. Establishing a defence manufacturing presence there gives India direct access to African Union member states, as well as opportunities to service and supply European partners looking for cost-effective armoured solutions, the analyst noted.Second, it gives India a first-mover advantage. While players like Turkey and China have been expanding aggressively in Africa, this is India's first plant there. It signals that India is moving from being just a training and goodwill partner to becoming a credible supplier of military hardware, the defence commentator stated.That's very significant because many African countries prefer suppliers who can provide in-region support, customisation, and even job creation, he added.Fourth, this plant is aligned with India's larger push for defence exports and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The government has set a target of $5 billion in defence exports by 2025, and facilities like this directly support that ambition. Over time, it could even encourage other Indian companies like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Mahindra Defence, or Bharat Forge to set up similar overseas hubs, the observer underscored.Interestingly, the unveiling of the Tata-owned manufacturing unit in Morocco comes at a time when India's private sector in defence is tipped to achieve a revenue growth rate of 16-18 percent in the current financial year (2025-26), as per a report by CRISIL Ratings.Sidhu reckons that the 16–18% growth projection for India's private defence sector in FY26 is just the beginning.Over the next five years, he sees this growth being sustained, and the key drivers will be threefold:Domestic Demand: The armed forces are in the middle of a major modernisation cycle, from fighter aircraft and helicopters to artillery and armoured vehicles. With indigenisation targets being pushed strongly, private firms will see a steady flow of contracts.Policy Support: Initiatives like the Defence Acquisition Procedure, positive indigenisation lists, and Atmanirbhar Bharat have created long-term visibility. This policy stability gives private firms the confidence to invest in R&D and manufacturing capacity.Exports: This is the real multiplier. India has already crossed USD 2.7 billion in defence exports last year, and the government is targeting USD 5 billion by 2025–26. In five years, exports could account for 20–25% of private sector defence revenues, up from single digits today.The big opportunities will come from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, where India can supply cost-effective systems like drones, armoured vehicles, artillery, and naval platforms. Setting up overseas facilities, like TASL's new unit in Morocco, will further catalyse this export growth.
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India's Morocco Defence Facility to Emerge as a Hub of Military Exports: Expert
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited's (TASL) brand new production unit for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) in Morocco, the country's maiden military manufacturing facility on the African continent.
India's first private sector defence manufacturing plant in Morocco, also its first in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, will pave the way for the country to emerge as a military export powerhouse there, an expert has said.
"TASL's new manufacturing facility in Morocco is a landmark move, as it positions India for the first time as a defence manufacturer within Africa," aerospace and defence pundit Harpreet Sidhu, who is currently associated with GlobalData Plc, a multinational data analytics and consulting company headquartered in London, told Sputnik India.
According to him, this unit is set to emerge as a hub of India's military exports for a few reasons.
First, the location is strategic. Morocco is at the crossroads of North and West Africa and close to Europe. Establishing a defence manufacturing presence there gives India direct access to African Union member states, as well as opportunities to service and supply European partners looking for cost-effective armoured solutions, the analyst noted.
Second, it gives India a first-mover advantage. While players like Turkey and China have been expanding aggressively in Africa, this is India's first plant there. It signals that India is moving from being just a
training and goodwill partner to becoming a credible supplier of military hardware, the defence commentator stated.
"Third, by manufacturing locally, Tata can offer cost-effective and tailored solutions to African militaries. For example, different regions face different threats—insurgency in the Sahel, IEDs in East Africa, or desert operations in the North. Producing in Morocco allows customisation to these needs, which is something African countries value," Sidhu underlined.
That's very significant because many African countries prefer suppliers who can provide in-region support, customisation, and even job creation, he added.
Fourth, this plant is aligned with India's larger push for defence exports and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The government has set a target of $5 billion in defence exports by 2025, and facilities like this directly support that ambition. Over time, it could even encourage other Indian companies like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Mahindra Defence, or Bharat Forge to set up similar overseas hubs, the observer underscored.
Interestingly, the unveiling of the Tata-owned manufacturing unit in Morocco comes at a time when India's private sector in defence is tipped to
achieve a revenue growth rate of 16-18 percent in the current financial year (2025-26), as per a report by
CRISIL Ratings.
Sidhu reckons that the 16–18% growth projection for India's private defence sector in FY26 is just the beginning.
Over the next five years, he sees this growth being sustained, and the key drivers will be threefold:
Domestic Demand: The armed forces are in the middle of a major modernisation cycle, from fighter aircraft and helicopters to artillery and armoured vehicles. With indigenisation targets being pushed strongly, private firms will see a steady flow of contracts.
Policy Support: Initiatives like the Defence Acquisition Procedure, positive indigenisation lists, and Atmanirbhar Bharat have created long-term visibility. This policy stability gives private firms the confidence to invest in R&D and manufacturing capacity.
Exports: This is the real multiplier. India has already crossed USD 2.7 billion in defence exports last year, and the government is targeting USD 5 billion by 2025–26. In five years, exports could account for 20–25% of private sector defence revenues, up from single digits today.
The big opportunities will come from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, where India can supply cost-effective systems like drones, armoured vehicles, artillery, and naval platforms. Setting up overseas facilities, like TASL's new unit in Morocco, will further
catalyse this export growth.
"So, in summary, five years from now I see Indian private defence companies not just growing from domestic demand, but becoming global suppliers, with exports forming a much larger share of their revenue mix. That will also make the growth story far more resilient and less dependent on the Indian defence budget alone," Sidhu concluded.
