I'm pretty sure the Stryker has already been cleared by USG- its participation in Yudh Abys 2010 was merely a big PR stunt looking for sales, so I don't think there would be any opposition from anyone if IA wanted to buy.
No there is no problem with US selling us Stryker. I think you didn't understand what i meant. If IA purchases Stryker then it would be either via FMS or through General Dynamics. US won't let a foreign company to benefit when their is a chance its own companies can get the project (BAE system is also partner in Stryker which is a British company not US).
But i doubt Stryker will be selected because it was that Yudh Abhyas (2009) that this FICV project came to surface. Also according to this project FICV will be the result of a domestic company which clearly throws Stryker out of the race as General Dynamics has no partnership with any of the Indian companies. I think BAE is the best partner for FICV which has partnership with Mahindra because they have been part of some future ICV project like that of US and UK.
But I thought the Stryker procurement was a different procurement and nothing to do with FICV and not to be bought in these huge numbers, maybe 100-300?
As far as i know there is no such plan. If you have some information on this plan like some article or official release then share with us. I just know IA showed interest i Stryker during yudh Abhyas 2009 but then we decided to go with FICV.
The body/hull is easily adaptable from their mine protection vehicles.
No its not possible but our companies won't face much problems because most of them have built mine protected vehicles. Don't worry this project is most likely going to a private companies because GOI and MOD is under scrutiny that even after opening defense sector no big project has been provided to a private sector yet. Also DRDO-OFB will be busy this decade with their FMBT and Arjun mk2 project.
Track based vehicles I give the benefit of the doubt to DRDO, but wheel based vehicles will be Tata's terrain.
Only one company will be selected and i think there will be only one design and it will come in both track and wheeled version. Also i doubt DRDO-OFB will have any advantage other than the infrastructure. No private company wants to set up a new manufacturing unit. As far far as technical point of view is concerned all the comapnies have tie up with Global giants while OFB has tie-up with Rososboronexport which is still living in Soviet era while Mahindra and ALL have tie -up with global giants who have been involved in latest products.
I think Indian army should have bought few hundred Abhay ICVs as a temporary solution before the FICV arrives.I mean every year thousands of crores of Rs are left unspent and went back to Finance ministry.
BMP 2 is working fine. Don't worry with the unspent money. IA needs modernization in every field. From this year onwards IA will start purchasing and believe me they have a long list and its good that BMP2 is working fine right now. They will be inducting alot in their aviation wing, then their is ATGM, artillery and MBts which need immediate attention.
But you are right. Abhay could've been rolled out just to fill up the gap.
There is no such immediate requirement.
I'm still for the Patria AMV and the CV 90 in different versions, by the fact that they can share most of the turrets, or weapons. Add some capable self propelled howitzers like the KMW artillery gun module and IA has a highly mobile combination of firepower and fire support for the northern areas.
Since FICV will be coming by the end of decade, we can get some next gen ICV which are being developed by BAE, GD, KMW etc.
I would vote for BAE systems, they are involved in most of the next gen ICV projects.