The Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle faced significant challenges during high-mobility trials in Ladakh’s high-altitude terrain from September to October 2024, where its 300-horsepower Caterpillar C7 engine struggled with low power-to-weight ratio, overheating, and steep gradients up to 18,000 feet. General Dynamics Land Systems responded by retrofitting a prototype with a 600-horsepower engine, reinforced suspension, upgraded driveline, and adjusted central tire inflation system for better traction on rugged Himalayan slopes. Initial validation tests are underway in the US at Sterling Heights, Michigan, with re-trials scheduled for mid-2026 in India to demonstrate enhanced mobility near the Line of Actual Control. This upgrade supports potential licensed production of 530 units in India under the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies, possibly with Bharat Earth Movers Limited, to replace aging BMP-2 vehicles in ten mechanized battalions. The Indian Army insists on proven field performance before any procurement decision