New Delhi. Due to the sourness in relations between India and Canada, the Indian Army’s plan to purchase Stryker armored vehicles now seems to be in trouble. These vehicles are made in Canada. India and America were talking about jointly manufacturing military equipment, in which these Stryker vehicles were also included. In June, an American official had said that America would soon show the power of Stryker vehicles to the Indian Army, but after the deterioration in relations with Canada, this deal is now under cloud.
Sources say that now there has been no further discussion in this matter nor has any decision been taken regarding purchasing the vehicles. For the last one year, strong efforts were being made to sell these Canadian vehicles to India. This project was being considered a part of the Self-reliant India initiative. According to the plan, first some vehicles were to be purchased from Canada and later they were to be manufactured in India in collaboration with a Canadian company, but India’s own defense companies were not happy with this. He said that he has invested his capital and hard work in making similar vehicles and now it would not be right to give a chance to a foreign company. Indian companies have expressed their views to the government. He has said that we have complete technology and capability to make such vehicles, then what is the point of signing an agreement with Canada for Stryker vehicles?
The armored vehicle in India is a wheeled armored platform, jointly developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. Some WAP vehicles are already in use by the army. Not only this, Morocco has also decided to buy these vehicles from India. Whopper vehicles are a great example of India’s Make in India capability. This eight-wheeler vehicle can run on all types of weather and roads. Overall, after deteriorating relations with Canada, it will be interesting to see what decision the Indian government takes in the matter of Stryker vehicles. Will it support its defense companies or enter into an agreement with a foreign company?