India’s relationship with Canada has entered a perilous phase, casting doubt over a defense deal that could have seen the Indian Army acquiring Stryker armored vehicles, a platform developed by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for the U.S. Army. The deal, which was still in negotiation, now faces an uncertain future as diplomatic ties between the two countries hit an all-time low.
The agreement, part of a broader conversation on defense cooperation between India and the United States, included the potential for phased acquisition of the Stryker vehicles with an eye on eventual production in India. However, escalating tensions between India and Canada have made the deal politically fraught. Critics within India, particularly proponents of self-reliance in defense production, have also raised concerns about the strategic value of such a deal, especially one that would benefit a Canadian company during a time of deteriorating bilateral relations.
The rapid nosedive in diplomatic relations between India and Canada stems from a series of escalating actions and allegations. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently expelled six Indian diplomats, including India’s Ambassador (High Commissioner), from Canada, accusing India of interference in Canada’s internal affairs. This dramatic move prompted a swift response from India, which retaliated by expelling Canadian diplomats.
These diplomatic skirmishes have brought India-Canada relations to a historic low. While the Indian government has categorically rejected the allegations made by Canada, dismissing them as “preposterous,” the tension is unlikely to subside in the near term. Against this backdrop, any deal that could be perceived as benefiting Canada is now seen as politically hazardous in India.
The Stryker is an 8-wheel-drive combat vehicle developed by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for the U.S. Army. Known for its mobility, protection, and firepower, the vehicle has become a staple of the U.S. military’s mechanized infantry units. The Stryker platform is powered by a Caterpillar C7 engine, delivering 350 horsepower, giving it a range of 483 kilometers and a top speed of 100 km/h.
The vehicle is armored with bolt-on ceramic panels for enhanced protection against threats, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Moreover, the Stryker is compatible with the Chinook helicopters already in service with the Indian Air Force, making it an attractive option for India’s needs in high-altitude warfare, particularly along the border with China.
Given India’s ongoing border tensions with China, the Stryker was seen as a valuable addition to the Indian Army’s fleet of armored vehicles. These vehicles were expected to be deployed in areas such as Eastern Ladakh and Sikkim, replacing aging BMP-II infantry combat vehicles of Russian origin.
The deal was initially discussed during U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India in June. While the U.S. has aggressively advocated for India’s acquisition of the Stryker, the ongoing political and diplomatic upheaval with Canada now threatens the future of this agreement.
Even before the diplomatic crisis, the potential acquisition of Stryker vehicles had already drawn criticism within India. The country has been pursuing a policy of self-reliance in defense production, or Atmanirbhar Bharat, which encourages the development of indigenous defense platforms to reduce reliance on foreign military imports.
Shiv Aroor, a prominent defense journalist in India, has been vocal about the drawbacks of the deal. Aroor has argued that India already possesses the necessary technological capability to produce wheeled armored vehicles domestically. Indian companies such as Tata, Mahindra, and Kalyani, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have developed an indigenous alternative known as the Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP), which many see as a better fit for India’s requirements.
Aroor’s criticism echoes the broader sentiment among those who champion indigenization: “Stryker’s ecosystem is in Canada, why should the Government of India (GoI) benefit Canada?” he said. His comments highlight a key concern — proceeding with a deal that supports a Canadian defense manufacturer could undermine India’s push toward self-sufficiency and potentially reward a country with which relations have soured.
Furthermore, experts have pointed out that the Stryker deal would likely be viewed as a missed opportunity under the India-U.S. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which is supposed to foster the co-production of advanced military technologies.
The Indian-developed Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP) presents a viable alternative to the Stryker. The platform was unveiled at Defexpo 2014 and has undergone extensive testing in high-altitude regions, where it has demonstrated its capabilities in challenging terrain.
The WhAP is a joint effort between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Mahindra, Kalyani, and DRDO. Notably, Tata has already secured a contract to supply WhAP units to Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, further underscoring the platform’s international appeal and proven capabilities.
One of the standout features of the WhAP is its amphibious capability, which the Stryker lacks. The WhAP can cross water bodies using onboard water jets, allowing it to navigate challenging terrain that includes rivers and streams. This amphibious capability is particularly valuable in regions such as Eastern Ladakh, where natural barriers like rivers can impede the movement of conventional armored vehicles.
In terms of mobility and firepower, the WhAP holds up well against the Stryker. The WhAP can carry 2 crew members and 9 soldiers, while the Stryker accommodates 3 crew members and 8 soldiers. The WhAP weighs 24.5 tons, slightly heavier than the 20.3-ton Stryker, but this is offset by a superior power-to-weight ratio of 25, compared to the Stryker’s 17.24.
The WhAP is equipped with a Kongsberg 30-mm cannon, which can be remotely operated and can fire a variety of rounds, including high-explosive incendiary and armor-piercing rounds, with an effective range of 3,000 meters. The vehicle is also designed to carry anti-tank missiles or a 12.7-mm machine gun for secondary armament.
The platform has already impressed the Indian Army during high-altitude trials, and it has been delivered to paramilitary forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which patrol the India-China border.
While the Stryker deal presents certain advantages in terms of immediate availability and integration with existing U.S.-provided platforms, the political and economic climate in India makes it a difficult proposition. The acquisition of the Stryker would likely be seen as benefiting Canada, which is politically untenable given the current diplomatic spat.
From an economic standpoint, the WhAP offers a more cost-effective solution. It is priced around 2.6 million euros, making it 30-50% cheaper than many Western armored vehicles, including the Stryker. In addition to being more affordable, the production of WhAP within India would align with the government’s Make in India initiative, further bolstering domestic defense manufacturing and creating jobs.
Strategically, India’s long-term interests lie in developing indigenous defense platforms that reduce its dependency on foreign suppliers. The current standoff with Canada only reinforces the need for India to double down on its efforts to build self-reliant defense capabilities.
As diplomatic relations between India and Canada continue to sour, the prospects for the Stryker deal appear increasingly dim. While the Stryker remains a battle-proven platform with considerable capabilities, its association with a Canadian company makes it a politically charged issue at a time when India is focused on self-reliance and indigenization in defense production.
The WhAP, India’s homegrown alternative, offers a compelling case for replacing the aging fleet of BMP-II vehicles and modernizing the Indian Army’s armored vehicle inventory. With its amphibious capabilities, strong armor, and cost advantages, the WhAP could emerge as the more strategic choice for India’s defense modernization efforts.
