Stryker infantry vehicle deal with U.S. progresses; Javelin missile to be demonstrated again

A Stryker armoured vehicle used by the U.S. Army during their final days in Iraq. File
| Photo Credit: AP

In the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India buy more military equipment from them and amid the upcoming visit of Mr. Modi to Washington DC next week, several defence deals in the pipeline are in focus, among them the deal for co-production of Stryker infantry combat vehicles. The performance of Stryker in high-altitude was demonstrated for the Indian Army and negotiations are making progress, according to sources in the know.

Stryker, manufactured by General Dynamics, has been evaluated in high altitude conditions of Ladakh last September-October and the report has subsequently been shared with the Army Headquarters for further action, according to the sources. The performance of the vehicles was demonstrated in high altitude conditions between 13,000 and 18,000 feet which also saw the testing of the Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), two sources said. And given some shortcomings, last month a communication was sent and re-trials are now awaited anytime, the sources stated.

The Stryker with its double-V hull performed optimally, one of the sources said, adding that the Javelin’s performance was not at the optimum level, which was due to the vintage of the system that was sent and repeat trials are expected to validate that. India has already sent a communication to the U.S. side asking for repeat demonstration of the Javelin, another source said, and the schedule is being worked out.

The Indian Army has identified a key requirement for ATGMs mounted on infantry combat vehicles, several defence officials stated. However, the Stryker variant with the Javelin ATGM is under development and is expected to be demonstrated to India in the near future, it has been learnt.

Assembling in India

The envisaged plan, according to sources, is the procurement of few hundred vehicles in two stages. Direct import of small number of Strykers in the first stage and license manufacture of a bulk of them, with some customisations, in India likely by defence public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).

A U.S. readout on the telephonic conversation between Mr. Modi and Mr. Trump, after he assumed office for the second time, said, “The President emphasised the importance of India increasing its procurement of American-made security equipment and moving toward a fair bilateral trading relationship.”

Taking forward the ongoing conversations forward, Sandy Long, senior adviser for defence exports in the office of the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for defence exports and cooperation, is expected at Aero India in Bengaluru next week. The office leads and directs the U.S. Army’s global security assistance programmes.

The Stryker deal is expected to figure in the conversations during Mr. Modi’s U.S. visit along with the deal for license manufacture of General Electric F-414 jet engines in India and the long delays in deliveries of the F-404 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A which has delayed the delivery and induction schedule.

In June 2024, then U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell had stated that India had expressed interest in co-production of the Stryker infantry vehicles and the two countries were in relatively early stages of talks on the Stryker and the Javelin ATGM. However, some defence officials have expressed reservations on going for the Stryker given that several such vehicles have been developed and demonstrated by Indian companies in recent years.

Also read: India, U.S. will explore expanding training, co-development avenues during Army Chief’s visit

The U.S. has in the past demonstrated both the Stryker as well as the Javelin ATGM to the Indian Army during bilateral exercises. Javelin was extensively evaluated by the Indian Army though the deal did not go through.

In November 2023, then Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said discussions surrounding the Stryker were being held under the defence industry cooperation road map which aims to co-develop and co-produce machinery, weapons and equipment required by the two countries. Stating that the initial offer on several infantry combat systems had come from the U.S., he had stated that any cooperation in this would happen if Indian militaries’ needs were finalised.