SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
G. Ramamohana Rao, Director of the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), recently announced significant advancements in the development of the WhAP 8×8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle. Rao highlighted that VRDE is aiming to increase the indigenous content of the WhAP to over 80% in its next iteration, with plans to further raise this to 85-90% within the next 18 months, just before the vehicle enters full-scale production.
The DRDO has already unveiled the second-generation Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), which features a host of improvements over its predecessor. According to Rao, the Indian Army, which has taken delivery of 18 first-generation WhAP 8×8 vehicles, has expressed complete satisfaction with their performance.
Collaborating with Tata and Mahindra, VRDE has developed the second-generation WhAP and now plans to involve Bharat-Forge in the production of the next variant. This move reflects a concerted effort to enhance domestic capabilities in defence manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports.
Rao also asserted that there is no need for India to procure such systems from foreign sources, particularly as the U.S. has been pushing for the procurement of its Stryker Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). With the success of the WhAP program, India is well-positioned to meet its requirements through Indigenous platforms, further strengthening its defence self-reliance.
This progress with the WhAP 8×8 marks a significant milestone in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, demonstrating the growing competency of domestic firms in developing advanced military vehicles tailored to the needs of the Indian Armed Forces.
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