The Indian Army’s program that could see the United States Stryker Wheeled 8 X 8 Combat Vehicle fielded has successfully moved one more step to realization.
The Stryker manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada is the primary combat vehicle of the US Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams as a highly mobile yet rapidly deployable manoeuvre element, as well as equipping several Cavalry Regiments. A similar version, the LAV 6 is fielded by the Canadian Forces while the US Marines employ an earlier LAV design. The Stryker/LAV have been combat proven in multiple conflicts since their introduction in the 1980s and have undergone a number of improvements with the latest Stryker models including a double-vee hull and a number of mobility enhancements. Approximately four-hundred Stryker’s have been provided to the Ukraine.
The Indian Army began to look at the Stryker as a potential replacement for its over two-thousand BMP-1 fighting vehicles. Discussion of cooperation was conducted at the highest levels between the MoD and the US Department of Defense. In mid-2024. This resulted in an agreement to pursue a three-phase effort to consider the Stryker. The eventual “Indian Stryker” would be adapted to India’s operational requirements including selected local content and eventual domestic production, a first for the Stryker. The phases we identified as an initial limited off-the-shelf acquisition through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, this would be followed by joint production in India, and finally the co-development of future versions manufactured locally. Beyond considering identifying and possibly substituting current sub-system with suitable more sustainable local ones an Indian concern was the suitability of Stryker’s existing configuration to perform in some of the country’s environments and geographic conditions such as the high altitudes as in eastern Ladakh and Sikkim. To address these Stryker was evaluated in September through October in these environments. The DVH impressed authorities although Javelin missile firing has issues and are to be rescheduled. An upgrade to a more powerful engine is also in consideration. In fact, the US Army had already explored a larger 450 hp engine with 910 km alternator and upgraded suspension.
As a result of the positive evaluations and consideration of the benefits of the cooperation arrangements it was announced in mid-January 2025 that the two government’s had formalized an agreement on the introduction of the Styker to the Indian Forces. The partnership will see up to 1,000 Stryker’s produced in India. The vehicles will be customized to meet the Indian Army’s operational requirements. A special emphasis is to be placed on anti-tank capabilities of the initial versions. This is something that is already available in enhancements offered in the US Army Infantry carrier’s remote weapon station with addition of the Javelin anti-tank missile though it is not clear if this is the option that will be pursued. In addition, the arrangement supports India’s “Make in India” initiative by considering indigenous components and local manufacturing sources. The arrangement contains provisions for manufacturing and technology transfer that is viewed as strengthening India’s defence industrial base.
It is understood that India will continue development of its Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) by Tata Advanced Systems and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The WhAP differs from the Stryker in its 600-horsepower engine, 100 km/h top speed, and, more importantly, the ability to swim rivers and inland waterways. Lack of the later was a point of concern to the Army which it appears to have been satisfied.
by Stephen W. Miller
