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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

Amidst the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s administration’s keen interest in expanding U.S. arms sales to India, there’s speculation that the long-delayed deal for local production of the Stryker Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) could finally move forward. This potential agreement comes into the spotlight despite the fact that India’s indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has shown superior capabilities in technical comparisons.

The Stryker APC, manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, has been on India’s radar for enhancing its mechanized infantry capabilities, especially along its contentious borders with China and Pakistan. U.S. officials have been keen to promote this deal as part of the broader strategic partnership between the two nations, which includes defence cooperation, technology sharing, and countering regional security threats. The proposal includes not just the procurement of the Strykers but also setting up manufacturing in India, which aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, although with significant American oversight and technology transfer.

However, the DRDO’s WhAP has emerged as a formidable alternative, outshining the Stryker in several key areas. WhAP is designed to operate in water, a feature notably absent in the standard Stryker models, crucial for operations in India’s diverse terrains, particularly where water bodies are strategic obstacles.

The WhAP boasts a more powerful engine, providing better performance in high-altitude regions like Ladakh, where power-to-weight ratio is critical. With its modular design, WhAP can be configured for multiple roles from troop transport to command and control, offering flexibility that matches or exceeds the Stryker’s capabilities.

Local production of WhAP would likely be more cost-effective, reducing dependency on foreign arms supplies and bolstering the Indian defense industry. Despite the technical advantages of WhAP, several factors could sway the decision towards the Stryker.

Trump’s administration has been known for using arms sales as a tool for diplomatic influence. India, looking to balance its relations with both the U.S. and Russia, might see this as an opportunity to strengthen ties with Washington.

As discussions continue, the Indian government faces a choice between fostering self-reliance by promoting its indigenous defense capabilities or enhancing strategic relations with the U.S. through arms purchases. With the upcoming high-level meetings between the two countries, the fate of the Stryker deal could be a litmus test for the direction of India’s defense procurement strategy.

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