Tata's WhAP Vehicles in Moroccan Army to Feature Custom Israeli 105mm/120mm Turrets, Converting it into Light Tank with Heavy Firepower

The Royal Moroccan Army is set to significantly boost its armoured capabilities by equipping its locally produced Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8 vehicles with powerful 105mm and 120mm combat turrets.

This development, which has now been confirmed, marks a substantial upgrade for the WhAP vehicles, originally developed by India's Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The move is a key part of Morocco's ongoing military modernisation programme.

Industry sources indicate that Israeli defence company Elbit Systems is the probable entity chosen to design and manufacture these heavy-calibre turrets. These systems are expected to be specifically tailored to meet the unique operational requirements of the Moroccan armed forces.

Reports from early 2025 had previously suggested that Morocco intended to arm its WhAP 8x8 fleet with these larger 105mm and 120mm guns. The vehicles are being manufactured in Morocco under a significant industrial agreement with India.

This latest confirmation signals a clear shift from the WhAP's standard armaments, which usually include lighter options such as 30mm cannons or missile launching systems.

This upgrade highlights Morocco's strategy to transform the WhAP into a highly versatile platform with considerable firepower, capable of addressing a wide array of threats, including enemy armoured vehicles and fortified enemy positions.

The WhAP 8x8 vehicle is a result of a cooperative effort between TASL and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Its introduction into Moroccan service was formalised through an agreement in September 2024. This agreement led to the establishment of Tata Advanced Systems Maroc (TASM) in Casablanca, which is responsible for the initial production of 150 units, with a projected increase to 100 vehicles annually over the following three years.

The WhAP demonstrated its robust design and adaptability by outperforming China’s Type-08 vehicle in trials. However, the incorporation of 105mm and 120mm turrets will significantly elevate its combat role beyond that of a conventional armoured personnel carrier, effectively turning it into a light tank equivalent with substantial offensive capabilities.

While the fundamental chassis and design of the WhAP originate from India, Moroccan media reports suggest the Royal Moroccan Army has selected Elbit Systems, a prominent Israeli defence technology firm, for the critical task of arming these vehicles. Elbit Systems has an existing presence in Morocco’s defence sector, highlighted by a recent $370 million agreement for the supply of Atmos 2000 howitzer artillery systems.

It is anticipated that Elbit will leverage its expertise, evident in systems like the Sabrah light tank which can be armed with similar calibre guns, to develop and produce these combat turrets, regardless of whether Morocco ultimately chooses the 105mm or the more powerful 120mm option.

The integration of such large-calibre turrets represents a dramatic advancement for the WhAP 8x8. Weaponry of 105mm and 120mm is typically found on main battle tanks or dedicated mobile gun systems.

Equipping the WhAP with these guns will provide it with firepower comparable to a tank while maintaining the strategic and tactical advantages of a wheeled vehicle's mobility – a relatively uncommon but increasingly sought-after combination in modern military forces.

This enhancement positions the upgraded WhAP as a flexible hybrid combat asset, capable of supporting infantry operations, conducting direct fire missions, and effectively countering armoured threats across Morocco's varied geographical landscapes, from mountainous regions to desert areas.

To successfully incorporate such heavy weaponry, the WhAP vehicle's design may necessitate several technical enhancements. These could include a reinforced suspension system, an upgraded recoil management mechanism to handle the powerful gun recoil, and advanced fire control systems for improved accuracy.

Elbit Systems' technical expertise will likely be crucial in these modifications. The WhAP's original modular design, a key feature of its DRDO-TASL development, offers the inherent flexibility required for this significant transformation. This adaptability is expected to allow the vehicle to retain its amphibious capabilities and agility, even with the additional weight and systems of the new turret.

 

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[Mango_Indian]

So TATA built the platform with a chassis which is capable of mounting a 120mm gun, but obviously did not have the expertise to build the turret. For 10 years, neither IA nor DRDO nor anyone else looked into the potential of the platform, nor placed any substantial orders for it. Now Morocco places substantial orders for the platform and arms it at a level higher than our light tank Zorawar (technically a K9 Techwin chassis minus one set of wheels for which we had to pay a ransom disguised in the second order for the 100 guns) with Elbit's help.

If this is not irony, I do not know what is.

 

[hahababa]

It's freaking frustrating to see Armenia and Morocco spearhead the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative instead of Bharat itself.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

120mm is an overkill. Guess they are making a hybrid version between an armoured vehicle and a light tank, but this is how everyone, except India, inducts platforms. They buy things and keep upgrading so that after a few years they become world-class models. What's more sad is that we haven't been successful in building our own turrets even after operating around 4,000 tanks.

 

[OlegO]

Sure, 105 mm. a powerful gun, including the M436 STUN cartridge... Regards.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great that they are turning it into a hybrid as it can be used to destroy tanks or give artillery support to troops and it can travel faster than a tank. India can certainly do the exact same thing.

Right now India is developing an unmanned turret with a 30mm canon gun, remote machine gun, ATGM, automatic grenade launcher etc. This will give a better performance than the current BMP 2 turret that’s used.

 

[Akshat]

120mm is an overkill. Guess they are making a hybrid version between an armoured vehicle and a light tank, but this is how everyone, except India, inducts platforms. They buy things and keep upgrading so that after a few years they become world-class models. What's more sad is that we haven't been successful in building our own turrets even after operating around 4,000 tanks.

Astra Mk1, Astra Mk2, Astra k3. Akash, Akash NG. Tejas IOC, Tejas IOC 2, Tejas FOC, Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2.

Basically, the list is long. Our army does induct stuff and then does modifications and upgrades, nothing new. Just that people like you won't see it.

Problem is, IAF was told, place orders for IOC, we will get FOC just in 2 years. But it came in 7. They were told place orders for IOC, Mk2 will come in 3 years. Still not even rolled out. Same story has unfolded so many times.

Worse still, many weapons simply fail the trials but MoD won't let IA reject the product. Even for WhAP itself, IA inducted the platform as LSP. Then it cancelled the tender, and waited for more players to develop it and reissued the tender. BAsically, WhAP failed the trials but Army stuck to it. But why would we look at that? We just have to bash the army. They should induct whatever junk piece of equipment DRDO makes, right? No matter whether the soldier lives or dies, who cares? Salary of DRDO scientist should not stop. Amazing bro, amazing.

 

[Akshat]

It's freaking frustrating to see Armenia and Morocco spearhead the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative instead of Bharat itself.

Indian Army has already switched to 100% desi orders. In FY 2022-2024 (data for the current fiscal still pending), IA didn't place a single order with any foreign entity. All desi products. But why shall we care about facts? All we care about is ensuring DRDO's products get inducted. Who cares about the quality? It's the soldier who has to fight in it, humara kya jata hai, right?

 

[Akshat]

So TATA built the platform with a chassis which is capable of mounting a 120mm gun, but obviously did not have the expertise to build the turret. For 10 years, neither IA nor DRDO nor anyone else looked into the potential of the platform, nor placed any substantial orders for it. Now Morocco places substantial orders for the platform and arms it at a level higher than our light tank Zorawar (technically a K9 Techwin chassis minus one set of wheels for which we had to pay a ransom disguised in the second order for the 100 guns) with Elbit's help.

If this is not irony, I do not know what is.

Yeah, K9 has a box chassis, right? Its different dimensions don't matter, right? The fact that the tank based on it is supposed to be a medium category tank, unlike Zorawar, is pointless, right? All we care about is spreading misinformation and somehow saying something bad about the private companies. Who cares about facts? And never respond to the pointed questions asked.

 

[Parveen Gahlot]

This same WhAP was tested by our Army and then delayed order. They placed the order only when Stryker couldn't perform well (which they tried many times to prove its worthiness). That's good news that Morocco is trying to put Elbit's 105mm or 130mm turret on this (as that is a short length turret).

We should concentrate on such technologies like turrets as well, where we lack dramatically. Also, we can look for such modifications in the Indian context as well, especially for the North-East region.