Indian Army Favors American Stryker Over Indigenous WhAP 8×8 in Armored Vehicle Program

The Indian Army's evaluation of contenders for its 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle program has reportedly hit a roadblock, with sources suggesting a preference for the American Stryker over local offerings, including DRDO's WhAP 8×8. The Army reportedly considers the Stryker a more robust and mature platform compared to indigenous alternatives, citing superior design and protection.

This development contradicts DRDO's claims, which previously positioned their WhAP 8×8 as superior to the Stryker, Fuchs 2, and Piranha 3 based on a comparison chart. However, the Army's assessment seems to prioritize real-world performance over theoretical specifications.

In response to the Army's preference, discussions are underway between the US and India to explore a co-development program for a customized Stryker M1135 variant tailored to meet Indian requirements.

This setback for DRDO's WhAP 8×8 could potentially hinder India's efforts toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing. While the WhAP may have shown theoretical advantages, the Army's practical assessment highlights the importance of proven performance in the field.

The future of India's 8×8 program remains uncertain, with the final decision likely to have a significant impact on both the Army's capabilities and the country's pursuit of indigenous defense solutions.

 

[Oleg Olkha]

Israel rejected those "Stryker's" notions in the past and designed a "Eitan". Vehicle did not meet the insurance requirements. Еven with the modul Rafael Samson... ( in the photo.) Regards and have a good week!

 

[beencensured]

Read the article. These are comparative trials and WhAP failed.

But without the new engine requested by army? How then?

 

[Bailbuddhi Padhoria]

Exactly. Clearly DRDO messed up the design on purpose.

Perhaps another ATAGS or Kaveri. Whether On purpose I don't know

 

[Akshat]

Which para ??
When did Stryker arrive to compete with WhAP ?

I was talking about nuanced trial parameters akin to MMRCA 1.0 set by DG Mechanised and/or DG Armoured. The pictorial table is a compilation of open source details from Wikipedia at worst. They didn't even try their hands on CRS, CBO, GAO, OST&E, GDLS, things would have been crystal clear.

The chart is what is presented by DRDO (as per the article). Read last line of 4th para. It clearly says Army assessed them and found Striker to be better in real world performance.

Having said that, this is an article based on unnamed sources so I personally won’t give much heft to it. But it lines perfectly with what many other articles as well as official sources have said.

 

[Akshat]

But without the new engine requested by army? How then?

Assuming that the article is correct, it seems crystal clear that DRDO’s design is a super failure even before the new engine is added.

 

[beencensured]

These are comparative trials and clearly DRDO’s product is useless like always.

The stryker has not yet put the new engine as required by army about 600 kw, then how did it satisfy.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

I think both will be bought in good numbers. Army has little trust on drdo so they don't want to put all the eggs in 1 basket. On papaer Whap looks great except protection seems low compared to Stryker but Whap is amphibious unlike stryker.

 

[Akshat]

Perhaps another ATAGS or Kaveri. Whether On purpose I don't know

Oh it is exactly on purpose. Otherwise how is it even possible that they designed ATAGS with a weight that no current truck in the army could tow it? Army’s tender clearly stated that the gun should be compatible with the existing GTVs. It’s crystal clear that DRDO sabotaged it on purpose.

 

[Indrakumar Salam]

If the performance difference is not much why not go for our product? We can improve it later on. Atmanirbhar Bharat is the way.

 

[Bailbuddhi Padhoria]

The chart is what is presented by DRDO (as per the article). Read last line of 4th para. It clearly says Army assessed them and found Striker to be better in real world performance.

Having said that, this is an article based on unnamed sources so I personally won’t give much heft to it. But it lines perfectly with what many other articles as well as official sources have said.

The chart is from one of DRDO Newsletters and is more for promotional intent & self-rationalisation.

Army hasn't assessed Stryker at elemental level i.e. in Indian terrain & climatic conditions. When COAS Manoj Pande visited USA in Feb'2024, he was given a presentation & demonstration of Stryker at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).

Indian Army General Discusses Modernization Efforts

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.-- General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), India, visits Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Feb. 15, 2024, as p...

www.army.mil

 

[beencensured]

Assuming that the article is correct, it seems crystal clear that DRDO’s design is a super failure even before the new engine is added.

Stryker is failed hence request for new engine.

 

[Bailbuddhi Padhoria]

Oh it is exactly on purpose. Otherwise how is it even possible that they designed ATAGS with a weight that no current truck in the army could tow it? Army’s tender clearly stated that the gun should be compatible with the existing GTVs. It’s crystal clear that DRDO sabotaged it on purpose.

I was talking "on purpose" for WHAP. India doesn't have offices nor like CBO, CRS, GAO, OSTE for public scrutiny. Once in a decade does CAG publishes such evaluation.

ATAGS is navratna-korma to be discussed on another day.

On matters of sources, charts & reports published here, babuji thoda sambhal ke...

 

[beencensured]

I think both will be bought in good numbers. Army has little trust on drdo so they don't want to put all the eggs in 1 basket. On papaer Whap looks great except protection seems low compared to Stryker but Whap is amphibious unlike stryker.

Also half the cost.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Was Stryker's first variant as good as it is now or did it evolve over time?. Provide feedback and improve shortcomings in WHAP instead of importing foreign maal and discouraging desi R&D.

 

[beencensured]

Very very good.........But sources are DUBIOUS. Who knows what 4-legged animal or 8-insect is it.

Otherwise sources would have given an explanation why a13.5 lakh strong force is favouring an American IAV. And whether WhAP is ACTUALLY SUPERIOR to Stryker/Piranha/......

What fault did Army find in WhAP ??? Being Desi doesn't mean flawless !!

Favoring terrorist Canadian vehicle.

 

[kumar]

Army needs to prefer indegenous tech over foreign maal.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Army’s bad mindset has to be changed. They will always favour imports.

Tell them "I" in IA does not mean imports.

 

[Bailbuddhi Padhoria]

Favoring terrorist Canadian vehicle.

Does that mean terrorist drive stryker ?? Tell this to Singh, Gadkari, Shah.

I favour capability that is missing in WhAP.

 

[Sudha]

The chart is what is presented by DRDO (as per the article). Read last line of 4th para. It clearly says Army assessed them and found Striker to be better in real world performance.

Having said that, this is an article based on unnamed sources so I personally won’t give much heft to it. But it lines perfectly with what many other articles as well as official sources have said.

There was no actual pitting of different vehicles against each other. So I do smell corruption from the import army. Import army's decision a big setback to indigenous product. If import army had given the requirements before hand the indigneous products would have been more aligned. What can one say, like the GOI forced Tejasmk1 on IAF, the same should be done on the top brass of import army.

 

[Akshat]

Stryker is failed hence request for new engine.

It is still overall better than failed WhAP

 

[Akshat]

I was talking "on purpose" for WHAP. India doesn't have offices nor like CBO, CRS, GAO, OSTE for public scrutiny. Once in a decade does CAG publishes such evaluation.

ATAGS is navratna-korma to be discussed on another day.

On matters of sources, charts & reports published here, babuji thoda sambhal ke...

My point is that there is a pattern here. DRDO intentionally messes up projects and/or delays them.

 

[Indian arms]

Indian army could involve with DRDO from the product development stage and get the required product. Strategically it is better to have indigenous product with IPR than an imported one where there will be no IPR.

 

[Akshat]

The stryker has not yet put the new engine as required by army about 600 kw, then how did it satisfy.

Imagine how bad WhAP must be to fail even before Striker gets the new engine.

 

[Sudha]

These are comparative trials and clearly DRDO’s product is useless like always.

Only on paper man only on paper. The comparitive trials should have been done in Indian conditions.

 

[Anurag]

Exactly. I think DRDO is getting paid by foreign companies to make useless products so that army is forced to import.

Ohh it's same goes with the army they are heavily paid so they procured foreign items at a high cost!!!!

Lot of corruption in procurement!!

 

[Sudha]

It seems some generals and chandigarh lobby work. I am sure even if there are gaps then those can be fixed easily.They takes years in trial and then reject products.this way no one will come forward to support army.sorry to say but this requires inquiry and firing of some top level folks across drdo and army.there should be some accountability.

That's what is happening in AMCA. One fine day the IAF might decide F16 & rafale F4 is better than AMCA. So the private sector doesn't want to take a risk like how it was in ATAGS.

 

[Anurag]

These are comparative trials and clearly DRDO’s product is useless like always.

That's why CRPF is happy with them while using in kashmir!!
they are ready to procure more!!
but as usual foreign love and corruption at high level!!

 

[Sudha]

Exactly. I think DRDO is getting paid by foreign companies to make useless products so that army is forced to import.

He was speaking of import army brass.

 

[GMR]

Indian army could involve with DRDO from the product development stage and get the required product. Strategically it is better to have indigenous product with IPR than an imported one where there will be no IPR.

Then how they will reject the products later? They will not have any justification then... they will continue to reject indegenious products or will order token no. To please someone

 

[M S Chatterji]

Sad to know that the import oriented Army wants the American stuff knowing fully well that US dependence is a death knell during war. They can stop parts supply anytime during war to favour one or the other of our enemies.