United States proposes Stryker M-Shorad air defense vehicle to India.

According to recent statements from defense officials, the United States has offered India the air defense variant of their Stryker armored combat vehicle, the Stryker M-Shorad. This proposal also includes an option for joint production with Indian companies.
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M-SHORAD air defense variant of the Stryker ICV (Picture source: US DoD)

This offer was highlighted during the recent India-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, where the United States reiterated its interest in collaborating with India on the Stryker armored combat vehicle project. Similar offers had been presented to India before. India is currently considering this American proposal but has not yet made a final decision.

Giridhar Aramane, India's Defense Secretary, mentioned in a press briefing that India is interested in further discussing this opportunity, particularly focusing on the aspect of co-producing the Stryker infantry combat vehicles. This briefing was part of the outcomes of the 2+2 dialogue, chaired by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Foreign Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and their American counterparts, Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken.

The offer comes when India is making progress in its domestic production of armored combat vehicles, including the Wheeled Armoured Platform developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in collaboration with the private sector. India has also deployed similar armored platforms in strategically sensitive areas like the Ladakh region, bordering China.

The Stryker M-Shorad is a mobile air defense vehicle, designed to provide effective protection against a wide range of aerial threats. Based on the chassis of the Stryker A1, the M-SHORAD is a significant asset for the army's maneuver units, fitting into the strategy of Multi-Domain Operations.

The vehicle is distinguished by its ability to acquire targets through its onboard system, which is coupled with the army's integrated command system for air and missile defense. This advanced equipment allows it to detect and track aerial targets with high precision.

The Stryker M-Shorad is equipped with Hellfire and Stinger missiles, as well as a 30mm cannon. This combination of weapons offers operational flexibility, enabling the vehicle to engage various types of aerial threats, ranging from fixed and rotary-wing aircraft to drones.

Designed to be operated by a crew of three or four people, the Stryker M-Shorad combines efficiency and ease of use, ensuring quick responsiveness in combat situations. Its first equipped unit (FUE) was launched in March 2021 with four combat platforms. The plan envisions the installation of four SHORAD battalions between 2022 and 2024, totaling 144 combat platforms.

This development marks a significant phase in the transformation of India's mechanized infantry, as the army actively seeks to enhance its combat capabilities with modern equipment.