Indian Army Seeks 500+ HP Engine for Stryker Armored Vehicle, Caterpillar and Cummins Proposes Alternatives

India and the US are facing a challenge in their joint effort to develop and produce Stryker armored vehicles – the engine. The current 300 horsepower C13 engine, while suitable for US conditions, falls short of the power needed to navigate India's challenging terrains, particularly the high altitudes of Ladakh and Sikkim. The Indian Army is seeking an engine with at least 500 horsepower to ensure optimal performance in these demanding conditions.

Caterpillar, the current engine supplier for the Stryker, has proposed two alternatives to its existing C7 engine: the C15, generating 595 horsepower, and the C13, offering 536 horsepower. In addition, Caterpillar has offered a Technology Transfer (ToT) for the chosen engine, allowing India to domestically produce both the engine and spare parts,.

Cummins, another American company, has entered the competition with its ISXe 600 diesel engine, producing 600 horsepower. This engine is already in use in the Indian Army's Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle (IPMV), giving it a potential advantage due to the familiarity with its maintenance and logistics.

The engine selection is crucial for the success of the Stryker co-production program. The Indian Army's decision will be based on a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including power requirements, operational needs, domestic production potential, and existing experience with specific engines. A successful resolution to this issue will pave the way for a mutually beneficial partnership between India and the US in armored vehicle production.

 

[ramdas]

They should finalize the deal instead of being difficult and overly critical. Cummins engines are the best option for the IA with relevant experience. The government may change its mind, so strike while the iron is hot.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Stryker is not suitable for high altitude operations. It can work only in deserts. While TATA Kestral and Mahindra ICV can work in plains, deserts and high altitudes. It does not make economical sense to use two different platforms . Stryker should be outrightly rejected.

 

[Mithu Roy]

Tonnage is different so is the purpose.
what army wants is a lighter vehicle, but how will it get is only god can tell. moment you put a 600 hp engine, you will need to upgrade the entire power transmission and will shoot up the weight and the deal will be difficult.
actually this product with 100 percent TOT will eliminate the need for designing from scratch and I think it will be built by private sector like tata, Mahindra or bharat forge or partly by ordinance factory

 

[Kira]

I believe that Cummins engine will be a logical (and logistically) prudent choice as it already powers WhAP and another heftier powerplant from Cummins will also power the DRDO light tank in the near future. So,I believe going with the Cummins option for the proposed Indian Stryker may be a better and thoughtful decision.

 

[kumar]

I don't know why the current GOI is h@ll bent on killing it's own industry. This even after west left no stone unturned to remove this gov from power. Typical case of bending over backwards. This GOI is turning out to be soft gov like other gov before.

 

[kumar]

This is precisely why private sector won't invest in defence R&d in india.

 

[Sandeep]

I don't know why the current GOI is h@ll bent on killing it's own industry. This even after west left no stone unturned to remove this gov from power. Typical case of bending over backwards. This GOI is turning out to be soft gov like other gov before.

India hasn’t said that they are going to buy it. They only said that they will evaluate what they offer. India will stick to its indigenous products.

 

[kumar]

India hasn’t said that they are going to buy it. They only said that they will evaluate what they offer. India will stick to its indigenous products.

You will go down swinging then. When IA is involved imports will come pretty soon.

 

[NSR]

From sources across the web
The unit cost to purchase the initial Stryker ICVs, without add-ons, including the slat armor, was US$3 million in April 2002. By May 2003, the regular production cost per vehicle was US$1.42 million. In February 2012, the cost had risen to US$4.9 million."

It is extremely costly for Indian budgets. Absolutely not worth it.

Go with indigenous solutions only and grant contracts to everyone who will manufacture them.

 

[Sandeep]

So far India has never said that they will buy the Stryker vehicle. India just said that they will look at what the USA offer and evaluate its performance. The USA is always trying to offload their military weapons and technology for a very expensive price and with strings attached to them for supporting their policies around the world.

India has invested a lot of money on its own IFV program by developing the WHAP/Kestrel, Abhay and Mahindra which is making very good progress. What India now needs to do is develop a new integrated turret with a new main canon gun, ATGM launcher, machine gun, smoke grenades etc which takes a bit of time as it all has to be integrated together. We should aim for a no manned turret where we can control everything from inside which will decrease the chances of soldier injury or death.

This IFV is also designed and developed to be a single vehicle that can be used for different roles like a 105mm light tank, 120mm mortar, ambulance, short range SAM, radar, EW and ESM, tank killer etc. Currently the military should use the same turret as the BMP 2/M IFV turret temporarily until we develop our own indigenous main turret. Once we develop that then we can replace the old turrets but we should continue with the production to avoid delays and idling of production lines.

 

[Sandeep]

You will go down swinging then. When IA is involved imports will come pretty soon.

No because we are developing our own indigenous IFV and as many weapons and platforms as possible because we don’t want to be reliant on any foreign weapons and equipment which leaves us vulnerable.

Also your forgetting about the military arms embargo where India can’t buy the IFV as that’s on the list of products that India can’t buy.

 

[Sudha]

I don't know why the current GOI is h@ll bent on killing it's own industry. This even after west left no stone unturned to remove this gov from power. Typical case of bending over backwards. This GOI is turning out to be soft gov like other gov before.

I dont think it is a soft government. The disinformarion from western media is huge. It will be interesting to know what will be announced after our PM's visit to Russia. Present regime is well aware of US intervention in Bharat's elections. This is already confirmed by Russian presslers regarding US intervention in Bharat's elections.