WhAP 8x8
Indian Army › Procurement
Indigenous 8x8 amphibious wheeled infantry combat vehicle designed for high-altitude mobility and urban warfare
Budget
₹1,000 Cr+ (initial batches)
Timeline
2022–2030
Sector
Indian Army
Indigenisation
PROCUREMENT TIMELINE
AON
AON
Acceptance of Necessity — CCS/DAC approves the requirement.
RFI
RFI
Request for Information — industry capability survey.
RFP
RFP
Request for Proposal — detailed tender issued to vendors.
ToC
ToC
Transfer of Technology clause negotiations.
CNC
CNC
Contract Negotiation Committee finalises terms.
Contract
Contract
Contract signed with selected vendor(s).
Dev/Trial
Dev/Trial
CURRENTDevelopment, integration and user trials.
Induction
Induction
INTEL SIGNALS
Near induction — watch for contract award
Developed jointly by DRDO VRDE and Tata Advanced Systems. First batches inducted into the Indian Army in Ladakh. Paramilitary and export variants delivered. Ongoing tenders for larger fleet induction under Make-II.
RECENT INTELLIGENCE
janes.com · 27 Apr 2026
DRDO's wheeled AAP is displayed at the unveiling ceremony held in Ahilyanagar on 25 April. India's state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DR
janes.com · 21 May 2026
A first-generation Kestrel rocket launcher is shown with the HEAT (on the left) and HESH (on the right) munitions. Taiwan's state-owned National Chung-Shan Inst
PROGRAM BRIEF & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Pipeline Status
Stage 6/7
Induction Ongoing
Estimated Budget
₹1,000 Cr+ (initial batches)
Financial Outlay
Target Timeline
2022–2030
Operational Target
Armed Service
Indian Army
75% Indigenous
WhAP — Wheeled Armoured Platform (Kestrel) is currently at Stage 6 of 7 in the Indian defence procurement procedure (Induction Ongoing). Indigenous 8x8 amphibious wheeled infantry combat vehicle designed for high-altitude mobility and urban warfare
The allocated budget outlay for WhAP 8x8 is estimated at ₹1,000 Cr+ (initial batches).
The program schedule indicates 2022–2030.
WhAP 8x8 is developed in coordination with vendors: DRDO VRDE, Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), Mahindra Defence.
WhAP 8x8 targets an indigenous content of 75%, advancing domestic defence manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
CONTENDERS / VENDORS
DRDO VRDE · Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) · Mahindra Defence
LATEST UPDATES
SEE ALSO