Tata Advanced Systems is showing its WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicle at the Marrakech Air Show this week. The vehicle is made at the company’s factory in Berrechid, and Tata wants the plant to become a base for selling defence equipment to other countries, especially in Africa.
The Indian defence and aerospace company is displaying the WhAP alongside its LAMV 4×4 light armoured vehicle, ATAGS 155mm artillery gun, drones and other unmanned systems.
The eighth Marrakech Air Show is taking place from 7 to 10 October at the Royal Air Force base in Marrakech. Tata Advanced Systems, known as TASL, is exhibiting from stand A1 in Zone A.
The company is part of India’s Tata Group. Its Berrechid factory started making WhAP vehicles in September 2025.
The government has said the factory will “produce armoured vehicles for the Royal Armed Forces and for foreign customers”.
TASL managing director Sukaran Singh has described the Berrechid plant as the first overseas factory of an Indian private defence company. He said the facility would allow the group to “start offering defence systems designed in India to friendly countries”.
The factory covers 20,000 square metres. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Abdellatif Loudiyi, minister delegate in charge of the national defence administration, opened it on 23 September 2025.
India describes the site as “the largest defence production unit in the Kingdom of Morocco and the first of its kind in Africa by an Indian private company”.
Production started three months earlier than planned, according to TASL.
About one-third of the components were due to be made or assembled locally when production began. The target is to reach 50% over time.
Rajnath Singh called the factory “a symbol of the growing strategic convergence between the two countries”.
First WhAP vehicles delivered
TASL announced on 24 December 2025 that “the first fleet of WhAP 8×8 vehicles has been delivered to the Royal Moroccan Army”.
The armed forces programme involves 150 vehicles to be delivered over three years. TASL plans to produce about 400 vehicles at Berrechid during the same period.
Metlonics, the local subsidiary of an Indian equipment company and a subcontractor at the plant, said it had made 20 vehicle hulls after the first five vehicles were delivered.
The WhAP was developed by TASL together with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, or DRDO.
The vehicle is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. It is 7.80 metres long, 2.96 metres wide and 2.28 metres high. Its combat weight is between 25 and 26 tonnes.
A Cummins ISXe diesel engine produces 600 horsepower. An Allison 4500SP automatic transmission sends power to the wheels.
The WhAP can reach 100km/h on roads and 10km/h in water. Rear water jets provide its amphibious propulsion.
Its road range is about 500km and its off-road range is about 250km.
The vehicle has a welded steel monocoque hull and modular composite armour. The protection system covers ballistic and mine threats and can reach STANAG 4569 levels III and IV, depending on the configuration.
The vehicle also has protection against nuclear, biological and chemical threats.
The version selected for the Royal Armed Forces uses the Israeli Elbit UT30MK2 remotely operated turret. The turret carries a 30mm automatic cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and anti-tank missiles.
New Delhi describes the WhAP as a “modern and modular combat platform with advanced mobility, protection and mission adaptability”.
ATAGS artillery gun
TASL is also displaying the ATAGS 155mm/52-calibre towed artillery gun.
India’s defence ministry signed contracts worth 69bn rupees, around 7.8bn dirhams, with TASL and Bharat Forge on 26 March 2025.
The contracts cover 307 ATAGS guns and 327 high-mobility 6×6 artillery tractors.
Bharat Forge will supply 184 guns and TASL will supply 123.
An Indian government research laboratory developed the ATAGS with TASL and Bharat Forge.
The gun can hit targets more than 40km away. Its main role is to replace older 105mm and 130mm guns in the Indian army.
New Delhi says the system will play “a crucial role in enhancing firepower through precision long-range strikes”.
The ATAGS uses a 155mm, 52-calibre barrel. Its effective range is more than 40-45km, depending on the ammunition. High-explosive base-bleed rounds can take the range close to 48km, with some specialised ammunition potentially allowing longer ranges.
The gun weighs about 18 tonnes. Newer lighter versions weigh around 12 tonnes. A crew of six to eight soldiers operates the system.
The gun uses an electric control system instead of traditional hydraulic systems. This allows faster aiming and reduces maintenance needs.
It can also be deployed and moved quickly, with a “shoot-and-scoot” operation taking less than 90 seconds.
LAMV 4×4 and drones
TASL is using the Marrakech show to display its LAMV 4×4 light armoured vehicle as well.
The LAMV is about 5.50 metres long, 2.50 metres wide and 2.30 metres high. It weighs about eight tonnes and can carry a 1.5-tonne payload.
Its engine produces about 210 horsepower. The vehicle has a power-to-weight ratio of 25 horsepower per tonne and can reach 105km/h on roads.
It has independent suspension, run-flat tyres and a central tyre inflation system.
The fuel tanks sit outside the crew compartment to improve safety. The vehicle can also carry night-vision equipment and CBRN protection.
Different turrets and weapon stations can be fitted to the LAMV. These can include 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
TASL is also showing aerial and ground unmanned systems, including the Sky-I vertical take-off and landing drone.
The Sky-I has a maximum take-off weight of about 10 to 18kg, depending on the mission configuration. It can stay in the air for up to two hours.
Its range is more than 15km and can reach about 25km with different communications setups. It can operate at up to 3,000 metres above sea level.
The drone can carry different payloads, including day-and-night optical cameras, thermal cameras and small cargo for logistics missions.
A defence hub for the region
TASL wants the Berrechid factory to do more than supply the Royal Armed Forces.
The company says its operations in the country “will serve as a defence equipment sourcing hub for the region”.
TASL calls the Berrechid complex “an extension of India’s defence industrial base”. It also wants the site to become a base for its “Make for the World” strategy, which aims to increase Indian defence exports.
The Marrakech show gives TASL a chance to present the WhAP as a vehicle made in Berrechid that can also be offered to foreign buyers.
The organisers say nearly 200 companies from 27 countries are taking part in this year’s show. Defence and aerospace companies are using the event as they “seek to expand their presence in Africa”.
The factory also supports plans to build a stronger defence manufacturing sector locally. The initial local production and assembly target is about 35% of components, with the figure expected to reach 50%.
The partnership brings together India’s defence manufacturing expertise and local production in Berrechid. It also gives TASL a manufacturing base closer to African and other international markets.
