In a significant win for India's defence industry, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (RMAF) has selected the Indian-made WhAP 8x8 armored fighting vehicle (AFV) over the Chinese Type-08 following rigorous comparative trials.
This decision, confirmed by the Atlantic Observatory, marks a major step in Morocco's military modernization efforts and highlights the growing capabilities of India's defence sector.
The WhAP, designed by Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), underwent extensive testing in Morocco for over four months.
The trials, which began in 2022, challenged the vehicles across diverse terrains, including mountainous regions. The WhAP consistently outperformed the Chinese Type-08, developed by NORINCO, which encountered technical difficulties throughout the trials.
According to sources, the WhAP's superior performance can be attributed to several key factors, notably its powerful 600-horsepower Cummins diesel engine and robust Allison 4500SP automatic transmission. These components provided the WhAP with the necessary reliability and mobility to navigate Morocco's challenging topography, proving to be a decisive advantage over the Chinese competitor.
This acquisition goes beyond a simple purchase. Morocco plans to establish a local production line for the WhAP in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems. This initiative aims to produce an initial 150 vehicles, with a potential increase to 400 units, strengthening Morocco's defence capabilities and potentially allowing for exports to other African nations. The factory, with an annual production capacity of 100 vehicles, will significantly enhance Morocco's self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Furthermore, Morocco aims to achieve a 50% domestic integration rate for the WhAP, fostering local industry growth, creating jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. This strategic move positions Morocco as a potential defence manufacturing hub in Africa.
The WhAP 8x8's modular design offers significant flexibility. It can be equipped with various weapon systems, including a 30mm cannon, a 105mm gun, anti-armor missiles, and even short-range air defence systems, making it adaptable to diverse combat scenarios. This versatility, coupled with advanced armor and surveillance capabilities, has also led the Indian Army to select the WhAP over traditional Russian platforms.
This agreement signifies a deepening of the Indo-Moroccan defence partnership. It leverages Tata's expertise in both civil and defence manufacturing to provide Morocco with a customizable and scalable armored vehicle platform. For Tata, this deal provides a valuable entry point into the African defence market, creating mutual benefits for both nations.
WhAP 8x8 Technical Specifications
- Weight: Approximately 24 tons
- Active Protection System: Optional, against missiles and CBRN threats
- Dimensions: 7.85 meters (length) x 3.0 meters (width) x 2.5 meters (height)
- Crew Capacity: 3 crew members + 9 soldiers
- Engine: Cummins ISXe 600 hp diesel engine
- Speed: 100 km/h (road), 10 km/h (water)
- Range: 500 km (on-road), 250 km (off-road)
- Armor: Composite armor with ballistic protection up to 14.5 mm bullets
- Mine Protection: V-shaped hull for IED and mine blast deflection
