First locally produced military vehicles delivered in Morocco
Morocco is enhancing its domestic defence industry as joint production with foreign investors helps lower its traditional reliance on overseas weapons imports, Moroccan government-friendly Hespress reported on 8th January.
This shift in priorities is outlined by the delivery of the first series of locally produced WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicles to the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, according to a report by the African defence platform Military Africa. The military vehicles are produced in Morocco in collaboration with India’s Tata Advanced Systems.
Increased defence spending appears a priority for the Moroccan government, with a 38.3 percent rise since 2022 amid ongoing tensions with Algeria over the Western Sahara. The Kingdom has also strengthened defence ties with France and Israel, both of which have expressed support for Morocco in the dispute with Algeria.
Military Africa said the delivery marks the start of a plan which will see 150 armoured vehicles supplied to the Moroccan army during a three-year period.
The project provides the framework for a longstanding industrial partnership, centred around local manufacturing and producing a vehicle which meets the requirements of the Moroccan army.
The vehicles are produced at a new factory in Berrechid, north-west Morocco, constructed as part of the agreement with India.
The modern facility has the capacity to be one of the country’s major defence manufacturing sites. An estimated 33 percent of the parts for vehicles were constructed locally, with an aim to increase the figure to 50 percent in future.
Morocco has historically received many of its military resources from overseas, with the US representing 91 percent of its arms supply.
Military Africa’s report described the first batch of trucks as more than an improvement to Morocco’s military supplies. The production displays rising industrial prowess, new international agreements, and an evident aim to lower reliance on foreign arms while advancing industries in the Kingdom.
Hespress, Military Africa, Maghrebi.org
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