DRDO Showcases WhAP 8x8 in Brazil at LAAD 2025, Aims to Replicate Moroccan Export Success in Latin America

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) highlighted its advanced military technology at the LAAD Defence and Security Expo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, held from April 1st to 4th, 2025.

A key exhibit was the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8, signalling India's strategic intent to enter the competitive Latin American market for armoured vehicles.

This strategic presentation in Brazil follows a major achievement in India's defence export history: securing substantial orders for the WhAP 8x8 from the Royal Moroccan Army. These orders are being fulfilled by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), DRDO's private sector production partner.

As India establishes itself as a new contender in the international armoured vehicle sector, its focus on Latin America indicates a determined effort to broaden its defence export reach.

Developed jointly by DRDO and TASL, the WhAP 8x8 is an amphibious infantry combat vehicle built for contemporary battlefield requirements. Its 8x8 configuration provides excellent mobility across various terrains, including water crossings.

The platform is designed with modularity in mind, allowing adaptation for numerous roles, from carrying troops securely to serving as a base for weapon systems like 30mm cannons or anti-tank guided missiles.

Rigorous testing, including trials in Morocco's demanding desert and mountain environments, has validated its performance, presenting it as a dependable and economically viable option for international armed forces.

The agreement with Morocco, finalised in September 2024, represents a landmark success for India's defence exports. It involves an initial supply of 150 WhAP units, with potential for the order to grow to 400 vehicles. A significant aspect of the deal includes establishing local production capabilities in Casablanca, Morocco, capable of manufacturing 100 units per year.

This collaboration enhances Morocco's defence posture while giving India a strategic presence in the African market and demonstrating its capacity for technology transfer and industrial partnership. Building on this foundation, DRDO is now seeking similar cooperative successes in Latin America.

The LAAD 2025 exhibition, recognized as one of Latin America's most important defence shows, offered an ideal venue for DRDO to present the WhAP 8x8's capabilities directly to military officials, industry figures, and government representatives from the region. Nations such as Brazil, Chile, and Colombia are actively modernising their military forces, creating potential opportunities for India's defence sector.

The WhAP's specific features, including its amphibious nature, adaptability to different terrains, and modular construction, correspond well with the varied operational needs found across Latin America, which range from jungle and coastal defence to internal security operations.

India's initiative to market the WhAP in Latin America aligns with its broader national strategy encapsulated in the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) programme. This policy aims to transform India from a major importer of defence equipment into a significant designer, manufacturer, and exporter. The WhAP 8x8 serves as a prime example of this policy, merging DRDO's research and development expertise with the manufacturing strength of TASL.

The platform's reliability is further underscored by its induction into the Indian Army in various configurations, including the Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle (IPMV), and its deployment by paramilitary forces in challenging operational areas like Kashmir.

 

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[swatkats_razor]

But if anybody asks “How many have your Armed forces acquired for your own inventory?”

Answer will be “Zero, nada, zilch. Our armed forces found WhAP to be incapable for their requirement. Our Army is reviewing American built Stryker instead.”

What message does that send to our potential customers?

 

[Rinku Pandey]

But if anybody asks “How many have your Armed forces acquired for your own inventory?”

Answer will be “Zero, nada, zilch. Our armed forces found WhAP to be incapable for their requirement. Our Army is reviewing American built Stryker instead.”

What message does that send to our potential customers?

They can always point towards Morocco. Indian Army requirements are way different. The Indian Army has 15 and 150 are in the pipeline awaiting MOD approval.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

WHAP has great potential for export. Indian Army also awaits 105 clearance from MoD.

 

[GMR]

Kudos to TATA and DRDO for creating a world-class platform. Don't worry about our importers; with the marketing backup of TATA, we will hear about more export orders.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Kudos to TATA and DRDO for creating a world-class platform. Don't worry about our importers; with the marketing backup of TATA, we will hear about more export orders.

No, we need to worry. It is not just about export. It is only evident that the rot runs very deep within the ranks of Army brass.

 

[Rational Guy]

But if anybody asks “How many have your Armed forces acquired for your own inventory?”

Answer will be “Zero, nada, zilch. Our armed forces found WhAP to be incapable for their requirement. Our Army is reviewing American built Stryker instead.”

What message does that send to our potential customers?

You know once when the US army came to India for military practice with the Indian army, the Indians were amazed at the scopes the Americans had. It turned out that the scopes were from Tonbo Imaging, a company in Bengaluru.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a brilliant opportunity to increase sales and the level of indigenous content and technology. We need to quickly complete developing a new unmanned turret with a new main gun, ATGM, remote machine gun, automatic grenade launcher, anti drone device, use surveillance and loiter drones, 600hp indigenous engine, automatic transmission etc. We need to offer countries a 100% indigenous vehicle including parts, equipment and technology. Hopefully as they manufacture more vehicles the level of indigenous content will increase.

 

[swatkats_razor]

You know once when the US army came to India for military practice with the Indian army, the Indians were amazed at the scopes the Americans had. It turned out that the scopes were from Tonbo Imaging, a company in Bengaluru.

And, we have army apologists who would question you, if you were to point this out. They will bring up silly logic as to how Tonbo's scopes were not suitable for the Indian Army and IA had evaluated them at least a million times before giving up and that US military selected it because US doesn't care enough for its army personnel.