India has decided to augment its anti-tank arsenal by purchasing 100 US made Javelin missile at an estimated cost of Rs 437.35 crores or $45.7 million.
The purchase has been made primarily for Indian Army.
According to the details released after the deal was signed, a total of one hundred (100) FGM-148 Javelin rounds are being procured with one (1) Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; and twenty-five (25) Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU).
The deal, signed with the RTX–Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture, underscores India’s push to modernize its ground forces.
The Javelin is a shoulder-fired, fire‑and‑forget system with an imaging infrared seeker, enabling soldiers to lock onto targets and relocate immediately after launch.
Its hallmark top‑attack capability allows strikes on tanks from above, while a tandem shaped‑charge warhead defeats explosive reactive armour.
With a range of 2.5–4 km and a soft‑launch system that reduces backblast, the missile can be fired safely from bunkers or urban cover.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor hailed the purchase as “BIG news,” calling it a milestone in the U.S.-India defence partnership and a step toward potential co‑production opportunities.
Battle‑tested in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, the Javelin brings India a proven edge in infantry anti‑tank warfare, while signalling deeper strategic cooperation with Washington.
