Overview of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Visit to Morocco from September 22 to 23, 2025

Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) undertook a two-day official visit to Morocco from September 22 to 23, 2025, at the invitation of Abdeltif Loudiyi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for National Defence.

• This marked 1st ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister to North African Nation, reflecting the strengthening strategic relations between India and Morocco

Highlights of Union Minister Rajnath Singh’s Visit:

Bilateral Meeting: On September 22 2025, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with his Moroccan counterpart Abdeltif Loudiyi in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco.

• The discussions were mainly focused on enhancing defence cooperation, strategic partnerships, and industrial collaboration between the two countries.
• During the meeting, Union Defence Minister announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat.

Expansion of Defence Cooperation: Leaders of both countries have agreed to expand defence collaboration and agreed on a comprehensive roadmap which covers areas like: counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and expert exchanges.

MoU on Defence Cooperation: The bilateral meeting culminated in the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation by Defence Ministers of India and Morocco.

• The newly signed MoU lays out a robust institutional framework aimed at fostering defence collaboration in defence industry, joint exercises, military training and capacity building.

Inauguration of TASL’s Defence Manufacturing Unit:

Inauguration Ceremony: On September 23 2025, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco.

• This newly inaugurated facility is India’s 1st ever defence manufacturing plant in Africa and largest in Morocco.

Co-Developed by: This new manufacturing facility was jointly designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under MoD of Government of India (GoI) and TASL.

Purpose: The facility, spanning over an area of 20,000 square metres (sq. m), will manufacture the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 vehicles.

• As per the agreement signed between TASL and the Government of Morocco, TASL will deliver WhAP 8×8 vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Army, with initial deliveries expected to start next month.

Local Content:Nearly 1/3rd (33.33%) of the components and sub-sytems will be sourced and assembled locally from the outset, with local value addition expected to increase to 50% in the coming years.

Bilateral Meeting with Trade Minister: On September 23 2025, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also held bilateral meeting with Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Trade of Morocco.

• During the meeting, discussions were held on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as: defence, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

About Morocco:

Prime Minister (PM)- Aziz Akhannouch
Capital- Rabat
Currency- Moroccan Dirham (MAD)