India Set to Acquire US Javelin Anti-Tank Missile System
India is set to acquire the US-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system, marking another significant step in India-US defence cooperation. The exact number of systems and financial value of the proposed deal have not yet been disclosed.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the agreement could open avenues for deeper collaboration and potential co-production between Indian and US defence industries.
The Javelin is a single-person-portable, medium-range, fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon developed by the US Army and Marine Corps. It combines a missile with a Command Launch Unit that helps the operator identify and lock onto targets before launch.
Its fire-and-forget capability allows the missile to guide itself after launch, enabling the operator to immediately take cover or reposition.
A key feature is its top-attack mode, in which the missile climbs above a target and strikes from the top, where armour is generally weaker. It can also be used in direct-attack mode.
Javelin employs a soft-launch system, allowing it to be fired from enclosed positions such as buildings and bunkers.
Beyond tanks, the system can engage armoured vehicles, bunkers and fortified positions, including in night-time and adverse-weather conditions.
The Javelin is produced by a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and RTX (Raytheon) and has been in full-rate production since 1994. It has seen extensive combat use, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.
