India and Morocco to Boost Military, Cyber, and Naval Cooperation

Sept 2025 : India is expanding its defence partnerships in North Africa as it signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Morocco to boost cooperation in combating extremism, naval cooperation, cybersecurity, and strengthening armed forces. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with his Moroccan counterpart Abdeltif Loudiyi in Rabat to formalise the agreement in line with how the two countries’ ties are “growing remarkably over the years”.

“We discussed ways to deepen collaboration in key areas, including counter-terrorism efforts, maritime security, cyber defence, and capacity building”, Singh said during his visit, the first time an Indian defence minister has traveled to Morocco. The MoU establishes a framework for joint training, expert exchanges, defence industry collaboration, and cooperation in military medicine.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also announced the creation of a defence wing at the Indian Embassy in Rabat, aimed at strengthening long-term engagement.

For Morocco, the agreement supports its ongoing military modernisation alongwith its bid to consolidate its role as a regional security partner while fostering the local defence industry.

Rajnath Singh’s visit coincided with the inauguration of India’s Tata Group facility in Morocco, which will produce amphibious armoured vehicles. India’s first overseas defence facility will employ more than 100 Moroccan engineers and employees trained in India.

The MoU aligns with India’s broader defence diplomacy. India has signed similar MoUs with countries across Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. These agreements are part of India’s Self – Reliant strategies, which seeks to expand defence exports while reinforcing India’s reputation as a reliable security partner beyond South Asia.

In parallel, India continues to modernise its own forces, approving defence procurements totaling 670 billion rupees ($7.6 billion) in August 2025 to upgrade army, navy, and air force capabilities. The same was duly reported by Maverick News 30 on 09^th. August, 2025.

India’s defence sector has made unprecedented strides over the past decade, driven by a strong policy push towards self-reliance and domestic manufacturing. The significant rise in defence production and exports underscores the country’s growing capability as a global defence manufacturing hub. With a record ₹1.27 lakh crore in defence production and exports reaching ₹21,083 crore in FY 2023-24, India has demonstrated its commitment to reducing dependency on imports while strengthening its presence in the global market.

As the nation aims for ₹3 lakh crore in defence production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029, these achievements highlight India’s emergence as a reliable defence partner worldwide. By leveraging innovation, strategic partnerships, and indigenous capabilities, India is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the future of global defence manufacturing and security.

Team Maverick