India May Weigh US Stryker Deal Over Superior Indigenous Alternatives Like DRDO WhAP Amidst Trump Administration Pressure

The potential sale of US Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) to India is facing renewed attention under the Trump administration, despite the emergence of a potentially superior indigenous alternative, the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This situation highlights the complex interplay of strategic considerations, technological advancements, and diplomatic pressures influencing India's defence procurement decisions.

The Stryker, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, has been considered by India for bolstering its mechanized infantry, particularly along its borders with China and Pakistan.

The US government has actively promoted this deal, emphasizing its potential to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries, including defence cooperation and technology sharing.

The proposal involves not only the sale of Strykers but also the establishment of a manufacturing base in India, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative. However, this would likely involve significant US oversight and technology transfer.

Meanwhile, the DRDO's WhAP has emerged as a strong contender, showcasing superior capabilities in key areas. Unlike the standard Stryker, WhAP is amphibious, a crucial feature for navigating India's diverse terrain, including strategically important water bodies.

Additionally, WhAP boasts a more powerful engine, making it better suited for high-altitude deployments like Ladakh, where power-to-weight ratio is critical.

Its modular design allows for various configurations, from troop transport to command and control, offering flexibility comparable to, or even exceeding, the Stryker.

Moreover, local production of WhAP could prove more cost-effective, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and bolstering India's domestic defence industry.

Despite WhAP's technical advantages, the final decision may be swayed by geopolitical factors. The Trump administration, while emphasizing strategic partnerships, has also shown a willingness to leverage arms sales for diplomatic gains. India, seeking to balance its relationships with both the US and Russia, might view the Stryker deal as a means to strengthen ties with Washington.

This situation presents India with a crucial choice: prioritize self-reliance in defence through indigenous development or enhance strategic relations with the US through arms purchases.

The upcoming high-level meetings between the two countries could provide further insight into India's defence procurement strategy and the potential outcome of the Stryker deal.

 

[Akshat]

Oh my friend these are far from small ticket items. Like you said it yourself, its ammo. Building factories to produce guided bombs and shells is far from cheap. Plus we would need thousands of them every year. They would take a royalty cut of few thousands a bomb atleast. They would cash out big time. Plus America is having issues scaling up production of guided ammunition. They will figure it out soon. But they would be very interested in having a second production line outside America.

I doubt US would be very interested in having a production line outside US when it comes to weapons of any kind. They do it now and then, when they have to win tenders etc. But they surely ain't interested in doing so.

As for cashing out big time, the annual production rate (highest figures I could find) is about 60000 units. Now this is the global number, not just for US. So India can buy at best 5% of that annually? Say, 3000 units? Remember, US and west as a whole do buy a lot of those, far more than the likes of India and Russia, so 5% is actually a very high number. Cost is usually around 30000. Lets say they take 20% royalty, or 6000 USD. That's what, 18 million USD? That's peanuts bro. Even if we triple it, that's still nothing for them. They would make 100 years worth of those royalties just on making India Specific Modifications if they manage to sell us their fighter jets.So that is indeed a very small ticket item buddy.

 

[PKPRS]

The folding winglets are on the F-35C, which has a larger wing than the F-35A and F-35B. As far as I know, and based on images I have seen, neither the F-35A nor the F-35B has folding winglets.

All three F35’s have same wing span of 35 feet which is an inch shorter than Rafale M and all three are almost similar dimension, F35B is very slightly longer due to the lift fan system, but that is only by few inches.

 

[Enforcer]

I doubt US would be very interested in having a production line outside US when it comes to weapons of any kind. They do it now and then, when they have to win tenders etc. But they surely ain't interested in doing so.

As for cashing out big time, the annual production rate (highest figures I could find) is about 60000 units. Now this is the global number, not just for US. So India can buy at best 5% of that annually? Say, 3000 units? Remember, US and west as a whole do buy a lot of those, far more than the likes of India and Russia, so 5% is actually a very high number. Cost is usually around 30000. Lets say they take 20% royalty, or 6000 USD. That's what, 18 million USD? That's peanuts bro. Even if we triple it, that's still nothing for them. They would make 100 years worth of those royalties just on making India Specific Modifications if they manage to sell us their fighter jets.So that is indeed a very small ticket item buddy.

You are not thinking it straight. Even if its 10 million. Its 10 million per year for not doing anything. Everything is being handled by Indians. Its not a bad deal.

 

[Enforcer]

F35 sale to India, is that a possibility?

Yes absolutely. They will take a lions share of the profit. But ive considered the idea deeply and thoroughly and its definitely worth it. Just the power projection India will have with 100 or so F35 is worth it alone.

 

[Akshat]

You are not thinking it straight. Even if its 10 million. Its 10 million per year for not doing anything. Everything is being handled by Indians. Its not a bad deal.

Bro, 10 millions per year even for not doing anything is peanuts for them! You are not getting the big picture. They have defense exports of 300+ billion USD. So 10 million is literally nothing for them and it won't even register as a blip for Trump. What will he say to his people, I signed a deal where we gave our tech and got no jobs in US and increased our exports by less than 0.01%? That is literally the definition of peanuts bro.

 

[Kira]

I completely agree. Stryker is better but local jugaad can work just fine for APC application and is cheaper. We definitely need additional orders for Chinook, Apache, and P8I and M777.

I want India and USA focus on make in india in terms of ammunition. Particularly 2 types of ammunition.

1) Jdams & Paveway series of bombs.
2) Excalibur - Hoping that Excalibur is compatible with our indigenous platforms.

True, as there are several other hardware items the the services definitely need in place of the Stryker, don't get me wrong that Stryker is good and fine, but India already has a powerful and versatile option available in the form of WhAP.
As for JDAMs, I believe India already operates them with the Tejas and Mirages and a limited quantity of Excalibur GPS guided shells for the M777 have already being ordered in the past and likely post Galwan in 2020.

 

[BCharlie]

All three F35’s have same wing span of 35 feet which is an inch shorter than Rafale M and all three are almost similar dimension, F35B is very slightly longer due to the lift fan system, but that is only by few inches.

Sir ji, all variants are the same dims, there is no second engine.. only one engine .. There are 3 variants F-35 A, B & C; .... P&W engines F-135 PW 100 & PW 400 for carrier & airstrips, and P&W F-135 PW 600 with Thrust Vectoring for STOVL .. F-35 B & C weigh 1.5 tons more than F-35 A.. Dims for all 3 are same.

 

[Hari Sud]

Yes absolutely. They will take a lions share of the profit. But ive considered the idea deeply and thoroughly and its definitely worth it. Just the power projection India will have with 100 or so F35 is worth it alone.

What is lion share of profit in a joint venture?

 

[Enforcer]

What is lion share of profit in a joint venture?

JV between Lockheed Martin and India for F-35? That's not gonna happen ever.

 

[Sandeep]

India is never going to buy this at all. It’s expensive, outdated and technology inefficient.