The Indian Army has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to acquire the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, marking India’s formal induction as a customer of the shoulder-fired weapon.
The agreement comes as India and the United States continue discussions on the potential joint production of Javelin systems in India.
**Javelin Procurement**
The LOA follows approval by the US State Department in November for a proposed sale to India valued at $45.7 million. The approved package included 100 Javelin missiles, 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (CLU), and one fly-to-buy FGM-148 Javelin missile.
The broader package also covers training equipment, missile simulation rounds, a battery coolant unit, technical documentation, spare parts, lifecycle support, systems integration, and testing.
However, according to reports citing Indian sources, the Indian Army’s current procurement is valued at approximately ₹2.92 billion ($30.5 million) and includes 60 Javelin rounds. Deliveries are reportedly expected to commence by late 2026 or sometime in 2027.
The acquisition is being carried out under the Indian Army’s emergency procurement provisions, which permit purchases of up to ₹3 billion (approximately $31.4 million) per item.
**Javelin Missile Capabilities**
The man-portable Javelin missile system provides dismounted soldiers with a fire-and-forget capability against armored targets at engagement ranges of approximately 65 meters to 4 kilometers.
The missile employs a top-attack flight profile, ascending above its target before striking the comparatively vulnerable upper armor. Its soft-launch mechanism also enables firing from enclosed spaces, including buildings and bunkers.
Developed by the RTX Corporation and Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture, the system incorporates a Command Launch Unit that enables operators to detect and identify targets in low-visibility conditions before launch. The weapon can engage armored vehicles as well as fortified positions.
According to RTX, the Javelin can also be integrated for remote launch from uncrewed ground vehicles. Weighing approximately 15.9 kilograms, the system can be operated by a single soldier.
The Javelin gained significant global attention during the Russia-Ukraine war, where Ukrainian forces extensively employed it against Russian armored formations. The system is currently operated by the US military and more than two dozen international customers.
