In what offers a glimpse into the direction chosen for its program to acquire new armored platforms for the infantry, Indian Army officers have indicated that the candidacy of the Stryker wheeled armored combat vehicle (VCBR) will be maintained as an alternative, while priority is given to the indigenous development of new armored vehicles, in line with a policy focused on achieving greater autonomy for the local industry. In this regard, it was stressed that if new models meet the technical requirements of the service, New Delhi will choose to move forward along this path insofar as the domestic industry is capable of supplying them.
Delving into some specifics, it is worth noting that the statements in question were made by General Dwivedi of the Indian Army, who summarized his position succinctly by stating: “It is an option, but we would prefer an indigenous option if it is available.” Broadly speaking, local analysts point out that at present the Stryker VCBR has been relegated to a secondary position, where its acquisition no longer depends on its own qualities but rather on the level of competition posed by the local alternative. It remains unclear, however, whether domestic industry currently possesses the technology and capacity to deliver superior armored vehicles, or to do so in the quantities required by the service.
Along these lines, reports from New Delhi indicate that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been making significant progress with the platform known as the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), revealing that it is an eight-wheeled, amphibious-capable vehicle specifically designed to meet the needs of the Indian Army. Developed jointly with local companies such as Tata Advanced Systems and Mahindra Defence, this platform reportedly already includes variants for troop transport and reconnaissance, which as primary armament could integrate turrets with a 30 mm cannon or 7.62 mm machine guns, and even anti-tank missile launchers depending on the variant.
Beyond these technical issues, it is also worth recalling that, should India proceed with the proposal promoted by the United States, it would still benefit from a cooperation agreement that would allow it to become the largest manufacturer of the Stryker VCBR at present. In January 2025, we reported that this matter was discussed during visits to the country by then U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who devoted part of his schedule to touring the facilities of the New Delhi Institute of Technology in order to gain firsthand insight into its capabilities.
Whatever decision is ultimately taken, what is clear is that Indian strategists consider the acquisition of a new armored vehicle to be both necessary and urgent in order to provide greater mobility to infantry units, especially following the lessons learned during the most recent hostilities with Pakistan. Furthermore, the pursuit of locally manufactured alternatives reflects a long-term intention to consolidate industrial capabilities, while also pointing to potential plans to field a platform that can continue to be developed with new weapons or sensors as they become available, while keeping the associated maintenance infrastructure within national borders.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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