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Context

• India and the US are close to finalizing an agreement to co-produce the latest generation of Stryker armored infantry combat vehicles (ICVs)..
• The project will occur in three phases: initial purchases, joint production in India, and co-development of future versions.
• This supports India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" mission.
• Customization for Indian terrain, high-altitude areas, and significant technology transfer are key aspects.

Details

Stryker armoured combat vehicles

Introduction

• The Stryker is a family of eight-wheel-drive armoured infantry combat vehicles (ICVs)
• It is jointly developed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada and the General Dynamics Land Systems Division in the United States.
• It holds the distinction of being the first new military vehicle inducted into US Army service since the Abrams tank in the 1980s.

Key Features and Capabilities

• Quick Response: The Stryker can quickly respond to insurgencies or war-like situations, moving much faster than tanks on paved roads, thus deploying infantry squads swiftly into combat.
• Survivability: It has demonstrated superior survivability against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) compared to other light military vehicles.
• Transportability: The Stryker can be transported via Chinook helicopters, which are part of the Indian Air Force's inventory.

Design and Armament

• Hull and Armor: The Stryker's hull is constructed from high-hardness steel with an additional layer of ceramic tile armor for enhanced protection.
• Crew and Infantry Capacity: It is operated by a two-person crew and can carry a nine-man infantry squad.
• Range and Speed: The vehicle has a range of 483 kilometers and can reach a top speed of around 100 km/h.
• Armament: Equipped with a 30 mm cannon and a 105 mm mobile gun.

Variants and Their Roles

The Stryker family includes multiple variants, each tailored for specific operational roles:

• Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Vehicle: Fires anti-tank missiles from elevated launch systems.
• Command Vehicle (CV): A mobile C4ISR platform that operates as a fast-moving, armored Tactical Operations Center (TOC) for the Stryker Brigade.
• Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV): Provides mobility, counter-mobility, and engineering support to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs).
• Fire Support Vehicle (FSV): Enhances target identification, acquisition, and designation capabilities for indirect fire support.
• Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV): Transports a nine-man infantry squad to objectives and provides direct fire support during dismounted assaults.
• Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV): An armored ambulance capable of evacuating and treating up to four litter patients.
• Mobile Gun System (MGS): A direct-fire infantry assault platform capable of destroying enemy vehicles and hardened positions.
• Mortar Carrier (MC): Provides a 120mm mortar capability to the SBCT.
• NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV): Detects, identifies, marks, samples, and reports Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical hazards.
• Reconnaissance Vehicle (RV): Enhances surveillance and communications capabilities for reconnaissance operations.

Sources:

economictimes

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  Critically analyze the current initiatives and strategies undertaken by India to modernize its defence forces. Discuss the challenges faced in this regard.