Indian Army Rejects US-Made Stryker Armoured Vehicle After Poor Performance in Trials

The Indian Army has rejected the US-made Stryker Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) after it failed to meet key performance standards during field trials in Ladakh and Sikkim. The vehicle, built by General Dynamics Land Systems, was being considered as a potential addition to India’s wheeled armoured vehicle fleet. However, technical limitations and operational weaknesses became evident in India’s unique battlefield environments.

Key Weaknesses Revealed During Trials

Despite its strong service record with the US Army, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Stryker failed to adapt to India’s terrain and strategic needs.

• ❌ No Amphibious Capability: The version of the Stryker tested by India could not operate in riverine or waterlogged areas, which are common along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly in the North East. This was a major shortfall for Indian planners, who see amphibious capability as essential for border deployments.

• ❌ Engine Performance at High Altitude: The Stryker runs on a 350-horsepower Caterpillar C7 diesel engine, which performed poorly in high-altitude areas like Ladakh, where operations can take place above 16,000 feet. The thin air led to reduced engine power, limiting its mobility on steep terrain.

• ❌ Limited Modularity for Indian Needs: Although the Stryker supports modular mission kits, it lacks the level of terrain-specific customisation that the Indian Army demands across diverse environments—ranging from Himalayan mountains to deserts and floodplains.

Indigenous Vehicles Outshine the Stryker

India’s homegrown alternatives have shown better performance and adaptability:

• Tata-DRDO Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP): This 8x8 amphibious vehicle is India’s first of its kind, co-developed by Tata Motors and the DRDO. It comes with a 600-horsepower engine, top speeds of 100 km/h on road, and 10 km/h in water using hydrojets. The WhAP supports 30mm cannons, anti-tank guided missiles, and offers high protection against mines and IEDs.

• Mahindra-DRDO NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle: Designed for detecting nuclear, biological, and chemical threats, this vehicle is part of India's move to develop role-specific solutions. It also features modular payload systems for multiple missions.

Both vehicles are already inducted into service by the Indian Army and paramilitary forces, a sign of growing confidence in Indian defence production.

Strategic Move Towards Self-Reliance

The rejection of the Stryker is consistent with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) mission, which focuses on developing and buying from indigenous defence suppliers. Since 2020, India has limited foreign imports, promoted local manufacturing, and pushed for critical technology transfers.

The move also ties into India’s Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) program, a project to replace ageing BMP-2 tracked vehicles with new, high-tech platforms made in India. Companies like TATA Advanced Systems, L&T, and Mahindra Defence are competing to produce next-generation armoured vehicles with digital systems, amphibious operations, and heavy firepower.

What This Means for India’s Defence Path

India’s decision to turn away from the Stryker doesn’t mean the platform is inherently flawed. Instead, it shows India’s emphasis on terrain-specific design and self-sufficiency. Foreign platforms, no matter how proven globally, must now pass rigorous tests based on India’s unique challenges.

With growing export interest in Indian vehicles like the WhAP and an active FICV development race underway, India is not just becoming a buyer but an emerging global supplier of advanced combat vehicles.

The Stryker’s failure in Indian trials underlines how India’s defence strategy is shifting—from import-dependence to building platforms tailored for the subcontinent, powered by its own defence ecosystem.