India's WhAP 8x8 APC Will Soon Get Indigenous 600 HP V8 Diesel Engine with a Private Company's Help

In a significant boost to India's armored vehicle capabilities and self-reliance, the WhAP 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) will soon be equipped with a powerful, indigenously developed 600 HP V8 diesel engine. Jayem Automotives Private Limited has been tasked with integrating this advanced engine into the WhAP platform, replacing the existing Cummins engine.

This new powerplant, jointly developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) and Ashok Leyland, represents a major step forward in India's "Make in India" initiative. By transitioning to a domestically produced engine, the Indian Armed Forces reduces its dependence on foreign suppliers, strengthening its logistical autonomy and supply chain security.

The 600 HP V8 diesel engine boasts a 90-degree crank configuration, delivering an impressive 1,505 Nm of torque. This significant upgrade surpasses the current Cummins engine in power and performance, enhancing the WhAP 8x8's agility, speed, and reliability, particularly in challenging terrains. This is crucial for an 8x8 platform designed for diverse missions, including troop transport, reconnaissance, and fire support.

The WhAP 8x8 APC, a collaborative effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Motors, is a versatile and amphibious armored vehicle. It can be configured with various weapon systems and is designed to operate in diverse environments, from high altitudes to waterlogged areas. The integration of the new V8 engine will significantly enhance its performance, enabling faster deployment and improved maneuverability in extreme conditions.

The new engine's improved power-to-weight ratio is particularly beneficial for a heavy armored vehicle like the WhAP 8x8. This allows for better acceleration, easier negotiation of inclines, and higher sustained speeds with less strain on the engine, leading to improved operational endurance and fuel efficiency. These advantages are vital for missions demanding rapid response and sustained operations over long distances.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Also plan a 800HP engine. During mid life upgrades, usually higher HP is selected. Have a naval variant of these engines, so that they become economically viable.

 

[Sathish Kumaram]

Jeyem they work in shadows but very skillfull in engine development.

 

[De_SECULARISED]

Similarly all the corporates public or private should collaborate themselves to achieve a viable aero engine for India.
GoI should should ask corporates to form a consortium to fund, establish facilities & hire/dedicate engineers/academia to achieve a goal of 110-120KN aero engine with a clause of relaxed taxation.

 

[VF VF1]

Similarly all the corporates public or private should collaborate themselves to achieve a viable aero engine for India.
GoI should should ask corporates to form a consortium to fund, establish facilities & hire/dedicate engineers/academia to achieve a goal of 110-120KN aero engine with a clause of relaxed taxation.

Govt shld atleast fund 20% of private consortium for 110kn engine so tht corporates can come forward and also give clarity on their workshare so tht corporates can calculate their profit margin ...tht will only succeed

 

[GMR]

Similarly all the corporates public or private should collaborate themselves to achieve a viable aero engine for India.
GoI should should ask corporates to form a consortium to fund, establish facilities & hire/dedicate engineers/academia to achieve a goal of 110-120KN aero engine with a clause of relaxed taxation.

Same initiative is required for marine engines also where IN is totally dependent on foreign OEMs, which is as critical as Aero ones. High time that our own marine engines are developed & adopted..

 

[Akshat]

Similarly all the corporates public or private should collaborate themselves to achieve a viable aero engine for India.
GoI should should ask corporates to form a consortium to fund, establish facilities & hire/dedicate engineers/academia to achieve a goal of 110-120KN aero engine with a clause of relaxed taxation.

GoI needs to provide a tender with the exact requirements for that, along with funding and free access to all the facilities currently available with various DRDO labs. Also, free access to all the technologies received in ToT by DRDO as well as any and all designs currently developed by them should be given.

 

[Akshat]

Govt shld atleast fund 20% of private consortium for 110kn engine so tht corporates can come forward and also give clarity on their workshare so tht corporates can calculate their profit margin ...tht will only succeed

20% is nothing bro. They should find 90% or more. If it does indeed develop an engine, government funding will be cheaper anyways. Corporates rarely can borrow at costs lower than GoI and then they will charge on top of it. So GoI funding is always gonna be cheaper.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Article is a bit light on details. Power band of the engine, weight and dimensions are also equally important factors. Hope in due course Indian industry can replace the Allison transmission with a local unit.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

20% is nothing bro. They should find 90% or more. If it does indeed develop an engine, government funding will be cheaper anyways. Corporates rarely can borrow at costs lower than GoI and then they will charge on top of it. So GoI funding is always gonna be cheaper.

Atmanirbhar Bharat is little more than a political slogan. The planning, financing, management and oversight required for successfully executing a large defence program is utterly lacking.

 

[Akshat]

Atmanirbhar Bharat is little more than a political slogan. The planning, financing, management and oversight required for successfully executing a large defence program is utterly lacking.

I would disagree with that blanket statement even though it is correct to an extent. We have started procuring more than 70% of our stuff indigenously now as compared to 40% in 2016 or so. And the government is slowly moving away from the DRDO/DPSU setup. But it is slow and is gonna take time.

 

[Sandeep]

Atmanirbhar Bharat is little more than a political slogan. The planning, financing, management and oversight required for successfully executing a large defence program is utterly lacking.

Your statement about Atmanirbhar Bharat just being a slogan is absolutely wrong. We have increased the amount of indigenous weapons, parts and components we develop and make. We have substantially reduced the amount of foreign weapons or supplies we used to buy as now it’s taking place by our own companies like spares.

 

[Sandeep]

This is very good news. Designing, developing and manufacturing our own indigenous engines has always been a major weakness.

Engines are the most important part in any armoured vehicle or tanks and a major part of the cost. With this engine we can now offer a complete armoured vehicle that’s been 100% indigenously designed and manufactured in India.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Your statement about Atmanirbhar Bharat just being a slogan is absolutely wrong. We have increased the amount of indigenous weapons, parts and components we develop and make. We have substantially reduced the amount of foreign weapons or supplies we used to buy as now it’s taking place by our own companies like spares.

Look back at the last few major inductions -
Planes - France/ US
Helicopters - US
Rifles - Russia/ US
Submarines - France
Anti-Aircraft Missile - Russia
Artillery - USA/ South Korea
Drones - Israel/ US
Look at indigenous platforms during the same time -
Artillery - Army unable to make a decision
Planes - HAL stuck
Jet Engine Development - No progress
Marine Gas Turbine - License production
Helicopter - Dhruv teething problems not yet resolved (but hope remains), Prachand weapon integration pending
Drones - Forces not satisfied with performance
Tanks - Arjun program dead
Tracked APC/IFV - Upgrading BMP-2's now
Wheeled APC/IFV - WHAP has potential but Army wants Stryker.

 

[Akshat]

Look back at the last few major inductions -
Planes - France/ US
Helicopters - US
Rifles - Russia/ US
Submarines - France
Anti-Aircraft Missile - Russia
Artillery - USA/ South Korea
Drones - Israel/ US
Look at indigenous platforms during the same time -
Artillery - Army unable to make a decision
Planes - HAL stuck
Jet Engine Development - No progress
Marine Gas Turbine - License production
Helicopter - Dhruv teething problems not yet resolved (but hope remains), Prachand weapon integration pending
Drones - Forces not satisfied with performance
Tanks - Arjun program dead
Tracked APC/IFV - Upgrading BMP-2's now
Wheeled APC/IFV - WHAP has potential but Army wants Stryker.

You have made a few omissions/errors actually.

Subs- Missed SSBNs as well as project for SSNs (at an early stage though, admittedly)
Drones- We have bought Drishti. Plus you have missed many other types of smaller drones, including swarm drones.
Wheeler APC- Army has not made any statement regarding Stryker, let alone any tender. On the other hand, they have bought limited numbers of WhAP and have issued a tender under IDDM for bulk procurement
Anti aircraft missiles- Missed Akash
Artillery- Dhanush has been ordered, although OFB hasn’t been able to deliver. Army has also made a decision regarding ATAGS. They don’t want it but MoD is forcing them to, thus leading to a smaller procurement order.
Tanks- Small order for Arjun has been given while Zorawar is also being developed

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Also plan a 800HP engine. During mid life upgrades, usually higher HP is selected. Have a naval variant of these engines, so that they become economically viable.

800 HP can be used for small civilian boats at best. Even the smallest Naval vessels needs about 12000 HP.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

800 HP can be used for small civilian boats at best. Even the smallest Naval vessels needs about 12000 HP.

Yes, I should have written marine variant not naval variant. MAN has 200 to ~2000 HP diesel marine engines and Cummins has 240 to 2700 HP marine engines. We should encourage Indian companies to develop marine engines and provide incentives to them once they certify their engines.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Yes, I should have written marine variant not naval variant. MAN has 200 to ~2000 HP diesel marine engines and Cummins has 240 to 2700 HP marine engines. We should encourage Indian companies to develop marine engines and provide incentives to them once they certify their engines.

Going to be awfully difficult to compete with MAN or Cummins in their home markets given that there is little to no domestic demand for such engines. Light compact ICE engines suitable for drones should be a greater priority.

 

[Sandeep]

Look back at the last few major inductions -
Planes - France/ US
Helicopters - US
Rifles - Russia/ US
Submarines - France
Anti-Aircraft Missile - Russia
Artillery - USA/ South Korea
Drones - Israel/ US
Look at indigenous platforms during the same time -
Artillery - Army unable to make a decision
Planes - HAL stuck
Jet Engine Development - No progress
Marine Gas Turbine - License production
Helicopter - Dhruv teething problems not yet resolved (but hope remains), Prachand weapon integration pending
Drones - Forces not satisfied with performance
Tanks - Arjun program dead
Tracked APC/IFV - Upgrading BMP-2's now
Wheeled APC/IFV - WHAP has potential but Army wants Stryker.

There’s a big difference between designing and making standard military weapons and technology compared to more complex platforms. For complex and advanced weapons and technology it takes at least a decade to mature because of the extensive tests that need to be carried out.
Jets-36 Rafale only
Indigenous jets-200 Tejas MK1A, 200 MK2, 100 TEDBF and 300-400 AMCA
Helicopters- 24 MH-60R only
Rifles- no Indian private company participated as they were late and government companies were rejected. So only 140,000 Sig but over 600,000 AK203 indigenously made
Submarines-6-9 Kalvari. Indigenous 4 SSBN, 3-6 SSBN, 6 SSN, 12+ SS
SAM- S400. Indigenous BMD, MR-SAM, Akash, Akash NG, QRSAM, MANPADS, VL-SRSAM, L70 air guns
Drones- 30 USA. Indigenous- loiter drones, swarm drones, kamikaze drones, surveillance drones, cargo drones, tethered drones
Artillery- 300 ATAGS, 1400 towed guns, 200+ mounted guns
Jet engine- 50kn Kaveri,
Ship engine- indigenous Kaveri Marine Engine, USA engines
Helicopter- indigenous Dhruv, LUH, Dhruv Marine, IMRH, DMRH, 140+ Prachand
Tanks- Arjun, FMBT, Light Tank
APC- Whap
IFV-FRCV and Stryker will never get ordered.

Also there’s a big difference in manufacturing a foreign product rather than importing it with nothing getting made. Atmanirbhar doesn’t mean that India is going to be able to straight away develop and manufacture everything as complex weapons and technology takes time. For what we haven’t developed yet the best solution is to manufacture a foreign weapon using as much indigenous content as we can until we do develop it.