BERRECHID, MOROCCO — March 15, 2026 : Metlonics Morocco, the local subsidiary of the Indian manufacturing company Metlonics, has produced 20 armored hulls for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 program at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) manufacturing facility in Berrechid, near Casablanca. The production forms part of the ongoing industrial supply chain supporting the local assembly of WhAP armored combat vehicles for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).
The hull manufacturing activity supports the broader production program being executed at the Tata Advanced Systems Maroc plant, a defense manufacturing facility covering approximately 20,000 square meters. The facility, inaugurated in September 2025, represents the largest defense manufacturing site in Morocco and the first overseas armored vehicle production plant established by an Indian private defense company. Serial production began three months ahead of schedule as part of Morocco’s effort to build domestic defense manufacturing capacity.
Program Status and Initial Deliveries
The WhAP production program reached its first delivery milestone in December 2025, when Tata Advanced Systems Limited delivered the first five completed WhAP 8×8 armored vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
These deliveries are part of a procurement agreement signed in September 2024 between Morocco’s Ministry of National Defense and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. Under the contract, 150 WhAP 8×8 armored combat vehicles will be delivered over a three-year period, with local manufacturing and assembly carried out in Morocco.
The vehicles are being produced and integrated at the Berrechid facility operated as Tata Advanced Systems Maroc, established through cooperation between Morocco’s Administration of National Defense, India’s Ministry of Defence, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.
Vehicle Configuration and Combat Systems
The WhAP 8×8 vehicles ordered by Morocco are configured for infantry combat roles and will be equipped with the UT30MK2 unmanned turret developed by Elbit Systems.
The UT30MK2 remote turret mounts a 30-mm automatic cannon, a coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun, and can be configured to carry anti-tank guided missiles. The system integrates stabilized electro-optical targeting sensors that enable day-and-night combat capability while allowing the crew to operate the weapon system from inside the armored hull.
Platform Design and Technical Characteristics
The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored combat vehicle jointly developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The vehicle features a modular monocoque hull design that enhances structural strength, crew survivability, and protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.
The platform is powered by a 600-horsepower diesel engine producing approximately 2400 Nm of torque. It includes independent suspension, a central tyre inflation system, and the ability to continue mobility even with damaged tires. The internal layout accommodates a driver, crew members, and up to 11 infantry soldiers, enabling the transport of a full infantry squad.
The WhAP platform’s modular architecture allows integration of multiple mission variants, including infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, command vehicles, reconnaissance platforms, ambulance variants, mortar carriers, and CBRN-protected configurations.
Industrial Localization and Moroccan Production
The participation of Metlonics Morocco in producing armored hulls is part of the program’s industrial localization strategy. The company was established in early 2025 to manufacture structural components for the WhAP production line in Berrechid.
The program currently has an estimated 35 percent local integration rate, with plans to increase local content to approximately 50 percent in future production batches through technology transfer, workforce training, and expansion of Moroccan suppliers.
The production program is expected to generate approximately 90 direct jobs and about 250 indirect jobs within Morocco’s defense manufacturing supply chain.
Strategic Context
The WhAP production program forms part of Morocco’s broader defense modernization and industrial development strategy, aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing capacity and supporting long-term sustainment of military equipment.
Morocco remains one of the largest defense spenders in Africa, with military expenditure estimated at approximately $5.5 billion in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The Berrechid manufacturing facility is also expected to support future export opportunities for the WhAP platform in Africa after completion of the Moroccan procurement program.
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