India Signs $45.7 Million Deal with US to Procure Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles

New Delhi: India has officially executed a $45.7 million agreement with the United States to procure the battle-tested FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile system for the Indian Army through the Foreign Military Sales route. The contract—signed via a formal Letter of Offer and Acceptance—involves an initial batch of 100 Javelin rounds, one evaluation round, and 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units.

Manufactured by the Javelin Joint Venture between RTX and Lockheed Martin, the 15.9-kilogram, shoulder-fired weapon system offers a fire-and-forget capability with an arched top-attack profile. This functionality allows soldiers to strike heavily armored targets where their protection is thinnest and immediately take cover after launch.

While the initial off-the-shelf purchase fulfills urgent operational requirements for high-altitude border units, the underlying strategy focuses on establishing indigenous manufacturing capability. Following a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding between Bharat Dynamics Limited and the Javelin Joint Venture, both nations are exploring technology transfer to assemble the missile locally in India.

Welcoming the breakthrough, US Ambassador Sergio Gor noted that the deal reflects a expanding strategic partnership that creates new avenues for co-production and industrial cooperation between Washington and New Delhi.