Defence Experts Urge MoD to Choose Tata WhAP Over Canadian-Made Stryker Vehicle Amidst Trudeau's Anti-India Rhetoric

As diplomatic relations between India and Canada continue to deteriorate, Indian defence experts are calling on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to halt negotiations for the acquisition of Canadian-manufactured Stryker armoured vehicles. This call comes in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's perceived "anti-India rhetoric" and his government's alleged support for Khalistani separatist groups.

While the Stryker, an eight-wheeled armoured vehicle originally designed for the U.S. Army, was slated for local production in India, experts highlight that certain components could still originate from Canada, indirectly benefiting its economy. This prospect has raised concerns in India, where many believe continued defence cooperation with Canada sends the wrong message given the current political climate.

"We cannot do business with countries that shelter and encourage Khalistani extremists," asserted a prominent defence expert, reflecting a growing sentiment within India. Canada's perceived leniency towards anti-India groups, particularly those advocating for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, has become a major point of contention between the two nations.

Instead of the Stryker, defence analysts are urging the MoD to prioritize the indigenously developed WhAP (Wheeled Armoured Platform) by Tata Motors. This 8x8 amphibious vehicle, developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), boasts comparable capabilities to the Stryker without the associated diplomatic complexities.

The WhAP has already proven its mettle, securing a recent contract with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. This international success underscores its growing reputation as a formidable contender in the global defence market.

The escalating diplomatic tension between India and Canada stems from various factors, including Trudeau's handling of domestic issues related to the Indian diaspora and his government's alleged inability to separate internal political concerns from foreign policy.

This rift is expected to have wider implications for the bilateral relationship, impacting not only defence trade but also cooperation in other sectors. By opting for the domestically produced WhAP, India can strengthen its strategic autonomy while sending a clear message about its commitment to national security and sovereignty.

 

[Anant]

There arguably was never a need for the Stryker to begin with, but anyways. This is a good opportunity to cancel procurement.

 

[Chinese eater]

A country with 5th largest economy doesn't need to tolerate. If any Western countries was 5th largest economy and some other countries try to coierse then they would fire all guns blazing. Its time India demand Canada to stop anti India propaganda or else face similar reaction. Start division of Canada into four countries.

 

[ramdas]

The Army is really keen on getting foreign equipment. They want to contribute their ideas and suggestions to enhance our current setup to better fit their requirements. It seems like there are some concerns and trust issues, otherwise the army wouldn't have been so insistent on the Stryker. I wonder if there have been any recent changes in their perspectives, but it's hard to say for sure.

 

[NSR]

Good riddance, No problems at all.

Spend all that money on Indian public and private companies for developing and manufacturing APCs, IFVs, WhAPs, Bullet proof vehicles, etc

No more phoren maals please as Indian companies already producing them albeit may not be world class.
But most of them including from western countries are getting blown away in Ukraine-Russia war.

 

[Kira]

There arguably was never a need for the Stryker to begin with, but anyways. This is a good opportunity to cancel procurement.

Actually I had no clue that the Stryker is a Canadian vehicle,designed and built in Canada for the US Army, I always thought it was a true Red, White and Blue American design. Well,you always live and learn.

 

[Anonymus]

Thanks trudeau now Indian army will focus on indegenous WhAP

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Stryker deal is with USA and NOT Canada.. It is USA manufactured ones...

 

[Anuj]

This is best opportunity to cancel this stryker deal as it doesnt seems to be part of some geopolitical need rather than actual requirement. We can use that money to push our own industries.

 

[Dilip Vishwanath Gondnale]

India should immediately cancel the talk on Stryker. This item can be made in India by Tata and Bharat Forge. This will not only save foreign currency but also help Indian Industries to grow and help in generating employment.

 

[suleimanhaq]

Guys for the sake of a few Khalistanis we should not spoil such an important relationship with Canada. India will lose access to such good technology. India should immediately apologize to Canada, UK, Australia and US for carrying out extra judicial killings of their nationals on their soils and move forward. Such bloated egos will only cause our downfall. Great nations always apologize if they made mistakes.

 

[Sandeep]

The Army is really keen on getting foreign equipment. They want to contribute their ideas and suggestions to enhance our current setup to better fit their requirements. It seems like there are some concerns and trust issues, otherwise the army wouldn't have been so insistent on the Stryker. I wonder if there have been any recent changes in their perspectives, but it's hard to say for sure.

India has never said that they are going to buy the Stryker vehicle at all. The government just said that they will evaluate its capabilities and that’s it. All of this news is fake as we are going to focus on our own indigenous IFV only. There’s also a complete ban and embargo on buying any IFV so it’s not possible.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

There arguably was never a need for the Stryker to begin with, but anyways. This is a good opportunity to cancel procurement.

Yes! One positive point of Canadian PM's nonsense. We should release a tender for 530 units of indigenous DRDO WhAP. They should be procured in 1:1 or 2:1 ratio. It is developedd for Indian conditions and is superior to Stryker. TATA, Mahindra and maybe L&T will be the contenders.

 

[Sandeep]

Guys for the sake of a few Khalistanis we should not spoil such an important relationship with Canada. India will lose access to such good technology. India should immediately apologize to Canada, UK, Australia and US for carrying out extra judicial killings of their nationals on their soils and move forward. Such bloated egos will only cause our downfall. Great nations always apologize if they made mistakes.

What nonsense! India hasn’t done anything wrong at all. We told them to take action against Khalistani groups and terrorists who are working under the Pakistani ISI to try and destabilise India with protests by blocking roads or demanding a separate country entirely and encouraging extremists and separatists.

Also Canada doesn’t give us anything in either trade, investments, medical or technology help at all.

We got rid of their diplomats, suspended negotiations for a free trade agreements and cut down the number of university students studying there.

Also killing our terrorists who pose a threat to us from complete safety in the USA or Canada and India is doing the right thing by killing them. The USA are the worst hypocrites ever who use their CIA to kill their enemies everyday but when somebody else does it they will all of a sudden go against it and act as if they have a higher virtue, morality and claim they are a nation with the rule of law.

 

[amerjit johal]

Actually I had no clue that the Stryker is a Canadian vehicle,designed and built in Canada for the US Army, I always thought it was a true Red, White and Blue American design. Well,you always live and learn.

It is derived from GM Defence designed LAVIII.
GM Defence was bought out by General Dynamics Land Systems.
So yes - it is up to a very large extent red white and blue, but manufactured in Canada

 

[Rahul Gokhale]

A country with 5th largest economy doesn't need to tolerate. If any Western countries was 5th largest economy and some other countries try to coierse then they would fire all guns blazing. Its time India demand Canada to stop anti India propaganda or else face similar reaction. Start division of Canada into four countries.

It's a 5th largest useless economy. We are ranked 138th based on GDP per capita meaning though size of economy is large, the actual market may not be very attractive. So let's come down from our high horse

 

[Kira]

It is derived from GM Defence designed LAVIII.
GM Defence was bought out by General Dynamics Land Systems.
So yes - it is up to a very large extent red white and blue, but manufactured in Canada

It was an OG American design made by GM, but later purchased by General Dynamics,which then produced it in their Canadian subsidy.

 

[Chinese eater]

It's a 5th largest useless economy. We are ranked 138th based on GDP per capita meaning though size of economy is large, the actual market may not be very attractive. So let's come down from our high horse

GDP matter but not so much. In India in 3rd and 4th tier cities one needs 15000 INR per month to just to bear rent on avg. But in western countries they needs 2000 USD just for month rent.

PPP and GDP is respective to each country. So there is no need to come down from high horse unless you are khangressi or gora dallah.

 

[ramdas]

India has never said that they are going to buy the Stryker vehicle at all. The government just said that they will evaluate its capabilities and that’s it. All of this news is fake as we are going to focus on our own indigenous IFV only. There’s also a complete ban and embargo on buying any IFV so it’s not possible.

They are going for stryker but Canada has leveled serious charges on India. PM will rethink

 

[RG]

Time to hurt canada economically for its support of extremism, terrorism and separatism.

 

[Sandeep]

They are going for stryker but Canada has leveled serious charges on India. PM will rethink

No they aren’t. The government and the military have never said that they will buy the Stryker at all. They just said that they will evaluate it which is a polite way of saying no without causing offence in diplomatic circles. India is fixed on the indigenous armoured vehicles only.

 

[Rajesh Patil]

It's a 5th largest useless economy. We are ranked 138th based on GDP per capita meaning though size of economy is large, the actual market may not be very attractive. So let's come down from our high horse

The per capita income has implications on political power projection "inside" the territory of India, that's because it only concerns the citizens. While in terms of external matters, the power is equal to a collective of 5 trillion. Secondly, the market is attractive not because of its size but because of the growth rate which is expected to rise due to demographic dividend. That's why India is attractive for the west. Because these coming decades will decide the fate of the east vs west struggle for dominance depending on whose side India chooses.