Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh to Visit Morocco, Inaugurate India’s First Defence Plant in Africa

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will undertake a two-day official visit to Morocco from September 22-23, 2025, at the invitation of Morocco’s Minister Delegate of National Defence, Mr. Abdeltif Loudiyi. This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to the North African nation, highlighting the growing strategic convergence between India and Morocco.

A key highlight of the visit will be the inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s new manufacturing facility for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 at Berrechid. This plant marks the first-ever Indian defence manufacturing facility in Africa, reflecting the expanding global footprint of India’s defence industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

During his visit, Shri Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral discussions with Mr. Loudiyi to strengthen defence, strategic, and industrial cooperation. He will also meet Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Ryad Mezzour, to explore potential avenues for industrial collaboration and innovation.

Both sides are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, establishing a framework to enhance bilateral engagement in training, industrial linkages, and strategic exchanges. Indian Navy ships have been regularly visiting Moroccan ports in recent years, and this agreement is expected to consolidate maritime ties further.

Shri Rajnath Singh will also engage with the Indian community in Rabat during his visit, strengthening people-to-people ties. Relations between India and Morocco have steadily grown since His Majesty King Mohammed VI met Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015, and this visit is expected to give fresh momentum to defence and strategic cooperation.