Indian industrial conglomerate Tata Group will build a major defense production factory in Morocco. It will be the first defense facility built by India abroad.

The Economic Times reports that the Casablanca facility, to be built by Tata Group-owned Tata Advanced Systems LTD, will produce armored vehicles for the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. In the long term, it will supply its products to other African countries.

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier, New Delhi has made it a priority to develop relations with African countries. According to him, “India has prioritized relations with African countries, now becoming their largest trade and investment partner.”

According to local media reports, India is seeking to spread its influence amid China's successful promotion of its own strategic interests on the continent. New Delhi expects to supply African countries with Tejas light combat aircraft, Pinaka launchers, Akash SAMs and supersonic cruise missiles made by Russian-Indian Brahmos.