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.

 

[PKPRS]

Anything we need to buy, we need Bell V-280 Valor that will be replacing V-22 osprey, 10 more P8’s, 24 more MH-60R, 2 squadrons of Chinooks and a squadron of Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters.

 

[sanket]

Instead it should have push for F-35 & 110 kN Engine development partner for AMCA, second if WhAP is designed to operate in water & if this feature is absent in stryker which is crucial for operation despite this why WhAP till date it is not awarded contract Trump should not dump unwanted Garbage they should dump this in Ukraine, First supply GE-404 as it is almost delayed by 18 months

 

[VF VF1]

Buy something else from the US... why Stryker only when we have Whap?

 

[Bhupesh Desai]

For this purchase lets not buy any junk let US fulfill what is already purchased like GE-414 engine complete that delivery on time and than lets talk.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

India should push US to deliver what is already ordered before going for any new deal. Stryker should be brought in limited quantity without any local manufacturing, while Whap should be ordered in huge numbers.

 

[Akshat]

Buy something else from the US... why Stryker only when we have Whap?

Well so far IA has not released even a single statement regarding Stryker and people are abusing them. On the other hand, a dedicated tender for the vehicles under IDDM (which means only vehicles designed and manufactured in India) has already been released and is currently under process with the MoD.

 

[Chinese eater]

India should push US to deliver what is already ordered before going for any new deal. Stryker should be brought in limited quantity without any local manufacturing, while Whap should be ordered in huge numbers.

Once you let Stryker in then DRDO WhAP project will be sabotaged 100%

 

[AJS]

Time to see whether we mean what we say when we talk about Atmanirbharta! WhaP being a better, cheaper, Indian designed and built platform that is already in service (and also bought by other countries, namely Algeria) must be bought in greater numbers and not the Stryker. It’s a no brainer. If they buy Stryker then it will not only be a pity as far as this equipment class goes, but also lead to a loss of credibility of government and loss of confidence among all those who are working hard on other key programs in India.

 

[Anant]

Anything we need to buy, we need Bell V-280 Valor that will be replacing V-22 osprey, 10 more P8’s, 24 more MH-60R, 2 squadrons of Chinooks and a squadron of Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters.

Um, if I may, I'd modify your numbers to maybe 8 P-8Is, 36 MH-60Rs, another 35 or so CH-47s, and maybe skip the CH-53Ks, or go for another 10 CH-47s and 25 CH-53Ks.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

Why not buy something else instead of Stryker? There could be many other items that our Armed Forces may be wanting, and the USA could provide them. Anyway, India must get a firm guarantee for the supply of GE engines as contracted before any new deal is signed. Let us make much of Trump's wishes and desires for the sale of military hardware to India. Have a decent deal with him, and he will appreciate it too!

 

[Bhishma]

Come on Trump ji, we all prayed for your well being. Sell us the F22

 

[Enforcer]

Anything we need to buy, we need Bell V-280 Valor that will be replacing V-22 osprey, 10 more P8’s, 24 more MH-60R, 2 squadrons of Chinooks and a squadron of Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters.

This time around I also want offensive weapons from USA too. 2 of them in particular.

1) AGM-88 HARM - Newest Variant for Anti Radiation missile. This missile could be our backup to Rudram in case rudram fails. AGM 88 can be fitted to P8I readily. Also could be fitted to Rafale with french and us help. French doesn't have an option for anti radiation missile so this is best idea. They have even fitted AGM -88 onto ukranian Mig 29.

2) AGM-158C LRASM - This is the newest stealthy anti ship cruise missile that would fit on P8I.

 

[Kira]

Buy something else from the US instead of Strykers, say for instance additional Chinooks for the Northern borders.

 

[Enforcer]

Our local options are definitely not superior. Stryker is much more superior to anything we have built. But the question should be are our local APC good enough? Clearly they are cheaper so is it good enough to meet the requirement of the army is the question you should be asking yourselves.

WhAP is only better in certain terrains like high altitude and ability to cross rivers. But as we have seen over and over again ukraine that pontoon bridges are always necessary to cross rivers anyways since you need to transport fuel trucks alongside your armored vehicles to keep them running.

 

[PKPRS]

This time around I also want offensive weapons from USA too. 2 of them in particular.

1) AGM-88 HARM - Newest Variant for Anti Radiation missile. This missile could be our backup to Rudram in case rudram fails. AGM 88 can be fitted to P8I readily. Also could be fitted to Rafale with french and us help. French doesn't have an option for anti radiation missile so this is best idea. They have even fitted AGM -88 onto ukranian Mig 29.

2) AGM-158C LRASM - This is the newest stealthy anti ship cruise missile that would fit on P8I.

In order to buy these missiles we will be forced to buy either F21 or F18 or both.

 

[Enforcer]

Buy something else from the US instead of Strykers, say for instance additional Chinooks for the Northern borders.

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.

 

[Enforcer]

In order to buy these missiles we will be forced to buy either F21 or F18 or both.

Not really. We can counter offer to buy F-35 instead. Trump just wants to make money, and he will sell F-35 to us. Plus he hates China.

 

[PKPRS]

Not really. We can counter offer to buy F-35 instead. Trump just wants to make money, and he will sell F-35 to us. Plus he hates China.

Trump can’t override Pentagon in Defense sales, F35 won’t be offered to us until we have S-400, may be it is possible to get F35B for the carriers instead of Rafale-M, they don’t have foldable wings like Rafale-M, and they will be far away from any S-400’s.

 

[Indrakumar Salam]

What is aatmanirbhar if we go for stryker? If WhAP is superior then why look for other? Indigenous option is always better.

 

[Anant]

Trump can’t override Pentagon in Defense sales, F35 won’t be offered to us until we have S-400, may be it is possible to get F35B for the carriers instead of Rafale-M, they don’t have foldable wings like Rafale-M, and they will be far away from any S-400’s.

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.

 

[Akshat]

Not really. We can counter offer to buy F-35 instead. Trump just wants to make money, and he will sell F-35 to us. Plus he hates China.

Well he doesn't really hate China. Far from it, in fact. Last time, he was about to make a deal to suspend the tariffs with China before Covid struck. Right now, his biggest backer Elon Musk has huge investments in China and he in fact hates India. And Trump suspended a law that would have forced Tiktok to either sell it's operations in US or get banned. And he invited Xi to his own swearing in ceremony (though he sent the vice Prez). So Trump doesn't hate China, far from it.

 

[Akshat]

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.

Well Excalibur is at least compatible with M777.

Also, the products you mentioned are small ticket items bro. US wants to sell platform weapons. Something which ensures long term commitment and revenues in the form of maintenance, spares and ammo. Like planes, drones, helicopters, tanks, APCs etc.

 

[Enforcer]

Well Excalibur is at least compatible with M777.

Also, the products you mentioned are small ticket items bro. US wants to sell platform weapons. Something which ensures long term commitment and revenues in the form of maintenance, spares and ammo. Like planes, drones, helicopters, tanks, APCs etc.

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.

 

[Hari Sud]

F35 sale to India, is that a possibility?