India and U.S. in talks for Stryker infantry vehicles

• India has expressed interest in co-producing the Stryker infantry vehicles and it is in “relatively” early stages of talks with the U.S. on the Stryker and the Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM)

KEY HIGHLIGHT

• At the same time, deals for MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles and GE-414 jet engines are making progress along with defence industrial collaborations under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) framework.
• However, several defence officials expressed reservations on going for Stryker given that several such vehicles have been developed and demonstrated by Indian companies in recent years.
• The U.S. has in the past demonstrated both Stryker as well as Javelin for the Indian Army during bilateral exercises.
• Javelin was extensively evaluated by the Indian Army, though the deal did not go through.

Prelims takeaway

• anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM)