The high-altitude deserts of Ladakh have long functioned as one of the world’s most unforgiving proving grounds for military hardware. With oxygen levels nearly 40 percent lower than at sea level, extreme temperature variations, and sharply contoured terrain, the region rapidly exposes the limits of armoured vehicles designed primarily for plains or temperate climates. It was in this demanding environment that the Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV), built by U.S.-based General Dynamics Land Systems, underwent crucial trials under Indian Army supervision in September and October 2024.
The trials were intended to assess whether the Stryker could meet the Indian Army’s requirements for a new generation of wheeled mechanised infantry platforms, particularly for deployment along the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Instead, the evaluation highlighted serious performance shortcomings that have temporarily stalled the programme.
According to defence sources familiar with the testing process, the Stryker’s standard 300-horsepower Caterpillar C7 engine struggled significantly in Ladakh’s oxygen-depleted atmosphere at altitudes approaching 18,000 feet. The vehicle reportedly faced repeated difficulties while negotiating steep gradients and uneven, rocky surfaces, failing to deliver the mobility and responsiveness expected for high-altitude operations.
At the heart of the problem was the vehicle’s relatively modest power-to-weight ratio of around 17 horsepower per tonne. In high-altitude environments, internal combustion engines can lose up to 30 percent of their effective output, sharply reducing available torque. Under these conditions, the Stryker was unable to consistently maintain momentum on steep inclines. In one notable incident during the trials, the drivetrain overheated while climbing a 40-degree slope—an obstacle that indigenous platforms, including the Tata-DRDO Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), were reportedly able to negotiate with fewer issues.
The Indian Army’s post-trial evaluation report documented these limitations in detail, leading to a pause in any immediate procurement decisions. Officials involved in the assessment stressed that while the Stryker is a proven platform in other theatres, Ladakh’s environment demands a higher margin of performance and reliability.
In response, General Dynamics has moved swiftly to address the concerns. At its Sterling Heights facility in Michigan, the company has initiated a comprehensive engineering overhaul aimed specifically at high-altitude performance. Central to this effort is the integration of a substantially more powerful 600-horsepower engine, effectively doubling the vehicle’s power output.
Defence industry sources describe the changes as a fundamental redesign rather than a cosmetic upgrade. Beyond the new engine, the suspension system is reportedly being reinforced to handle the vehicle’s 20-tonne weight under greater mechanical stress, while the driveline is being strengthened to cope with the higher torque generated by the upgraded powerplant. Adjustments are also being made to the central tyre inflation system to improve traction on loose gravel and uneven mountain tracks.
General Dynamics plans to subject the modified Stryker to extensive internal testing, combining simulated high-altitude conditions with real-world stress trials. This validation phase is expected to conclude by early 2026, after which the upgraded prototype will be shipped back to India for a second round of trials in mid-2026.
The effort reflects the broader strategic context of growing U.S.-India defence cooperation under frameworks such as the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) and the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). The long-term proposal involves the licensed production of around 530 Stryker vehicles in India, potentially in collaboration with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), to equip up to ten mechanised infantry battalions.
However, Indian Army officials have been unequivocal that procurement decisions will remain strictly performance-driven. As one senior officer involved in the programme noted, operational reliability in extreme conditions takes precedence over all other considerations. “Diplomatic alignment cannot substitute for battlefield capability,” the official said, underscoring that only equipment proven under Ladakh’s harsh conditions will earn a place in frontline service.
