2024-09-29 01:06:51
New Delhi: Defense Sector is a very specialized sector. It is mostly dominated by foreign companies. But this is happening for the first time that an Indian company will build a defense manufacturing line abroad. Yes, this news has come from Tata Group. One of the group companies is on its way to setting up a major defense manufacturing line abroad.
Which company is of Tata Group
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd is a company of Tata Group. TASL is preparing to build this plant in Casablanca. The plant will initially manufacture armored vehicles for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. The company plans to serve a larger portion of the African market in the long run.
Infantry combat vehicle will be made
According to a news from our associate Economic Times, Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP) will be produced in this unit of Tata Group. This platform is an amphibious infantry combat vehicle. It is able to navigate in all types of terrains. The plan is that that factory will be able to produce 100 Cambet vehicles every year. The plant will become operational within a year, with the first WhAP anticipated to be commissioned within 18 months.
Supply of this vehicle to Indian Army
Tata Advanced Systems Limited also supplies such combat vehicles to the Indian Army. These vehicles are in service with the Indian Army in limited numbers. These vehicles have been deployed on the Ladakh border.
The contract is quite big
Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (MD&CEO), TASL, said, “This contract is huge and of strategic importance for TASL. This will not only help TASL to kick-start Morocco’s defense ecosystem, but it will also TASL will also serve as a launch point for select defense systems in the rest of Africa.” He acknowledged Morocco’s support for the historic production and supply agreement.
Who has developed this vehicle
The wheeled armored platform has been jointly developed by TASL and Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It underwent several intensive tests in the deserts of Africa before being selected by Morocco.
First defense unit abroad
This is the first major greenfield defense unit being set up by an Indian company abroad. India has, in the past, exported major defense platforms and is manufacturing products domestically with global players. But, no Indian company has done this abroad till now. It will also be the first defense plant in Morocco capable of producing a complete major platform. The plant will employ around 350 people and a major part of the work will also be done in India.