CRPF’s new WHAP 8×8 Armoured vehicle can operate in both land and water

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has got a new ‘Wheeled Armoured Amphibious Platform’ (WHAP) to aid it in the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The ‘Wheeled Armored Amphibious Platform’ (WHAP) is an 8×8 vehicle developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The Armoured 8×8 vehicle can operate on all types of surfaces including land and water, as well as swamps, lakes and lagoons. The heavyweight vehicle measure 24 tonnes and 8 meters in length and 3 meters in width.

The vehicle is designed as a Defense Combat Wheeled Armored Amphibious Platform (WHAP) and is built for tough combat situations. The state-of-art WHAP is formidable machine that is capable of facing bullets, blasts, mines and rockets. The machine is powered by a 600-horsepower engine and automatic transmission. It is equipped with a 7.62 mm Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) for accurate shooting.

Sheeshpal, CO CRPF said, “It is made in India and can run on any terrain, whether it is land, water, marshes or high mountain ranges. The vehicle weighs 24 tonnes and measures 8 meters in length and 3 meters in width. It is fully bulletproof. It can go against the current in the rivers. It has an automatic system inside it. It has a remote-controlled weapon system that can aim with extreme precision. This device can also launch smoke balls.”

Among the various armed forces, CRPF is the first paramilitary force to receive the ‘Wheeled Armored Amphibious Platform’ (WHAP). In 2022, the Indian Army had also got the same vehicle to strengthen its troops deployed in the eastern sector of Ladakh.

Unlike the Indian Army’s Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle (IPMV), CRPF’s WHAP can cross water obstacles. It can handle challenging operations that involve water jets. The unique amphibious feature will help CRPF in operations that sometimes occur in swamps, lakes and lagoons.

As per reports, the Central Reserve Police Force has initially received six WHAP vehicles. Two of them are already deployed in South Kashmir to help troops in anti-terror operations. CRPF says that this will be a great help in their anti-terrorist operations in the Kashmir Valley.