Morocco and Tata Advanced Systems Team Up for Armored Vehicle Production
The Kingdom of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and Tata Advanced Systems have signed a deal for the local production of Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) vehicles. This collaboration is a major success for the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Key Details
According to Tata Advanced Systems, the WhAP vehicles were developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Motors. This deal marks a significant milestone as Tata expands its footprint overseas as a Defence Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
The contract specifies that the vehicles will be supplied to the Moroccan forces over a period of three years, making it the largest contract for Indian-made armored vehicles both within and outside India. Indian paramilitary forces have also placed orders for these indigenous vehicles.
Vehicle Features
The WhAP is an indigenously designed and developed amphibious wheeled combat vehicle. According to DRDO, the design philosophy of this platform aligns with global trends and focuses on modularity, scalability, and reconfigurability to adapt the platform for various roles. The WhAP can easily navigate through muddy or slushy terrain and has the capability to withstand mine blasts.
Variants of the WhAP, including the Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle (IPMV) and the paramilitary version, have already been inducted into the Indian Army and paramilitary forces.
Doubts Revealed
Morocco -: Morocco is a country in North Africa. It is known for its rich culture, beautiful landscapes, and historical sites.
Tata Advanced Systems -: Tata Advanced Systems is a company in India that makes high-tech equipment, especially for defense and aerospace. It is part of the Tata Group, a big business group in India.
Royal Armed Forces -: The Royal Armed Forces are the military forces of Morocco. They protect the country and help in emergencies.
Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) -: The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) is a type of military vehicle that can move on rough roads and protect soldiers from explosions. It is made to be very strong and safe.
DRDO -: DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is an Indian government agency that works on developing new technology for the military.
Tata Motors -: Tata Motors is an Indian company that makes cars, trucks, and buses. It is also part of the Tata Group.
milestone -: A milestone is an important event or achievement. In this case, it means a big step forward for Indian-made defense equipment.
contract -: A contract is an agreement between two parties. Here, it means an official deal between Morocco and Tata Advanced Systems to make and supply vehicles.
variants -: Variants are different versions of something. In this case, it means different types of the WhAP vehicle that are already being used by Indian forces.