India to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles: Why this US weapon matters

NEW DELHI: India intends to acquire the battle-proven Javelin anti-tank missile system from the United States, as revealed by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday.The acquisition could bolster India's armed forces capability to confront enemy armored vehicles.The proposed acquisition would introduce a highly mobile, precision-guided anti-armour weapon to India's arsenal as New Delhi continues to expand defense collaboration with Washington and broaden its military capabilities.The Javelin is a man-portable, shoulder-fired anti-tank guided missile crafted by US defense firms Lockheed Martin and RTX.

It empowers infantry units to target armored vehicles without depending on larger anti-tank platforms.One notable attribute of the Javelin is its fire-and-forget capability. After the missile is launched and its target is locked, the operator need not guide it further, enabling troops to relocate from the firing position.The missile is also effective in attacking tanks from above, a feature known as top-attack, enabling it to strike the more vulnerable upper parts of an armored vehicle.

It can also be employed in a direct-attack mode against certain targets.The system utilizes an imaging infrared seeker and is engineered to function in diverse battlefield conditions, granting infantry enhanced versatility against tanks and other armored threats.The Javelin has been extensively utilized in combat and has gained notoriety for its effectiveness against armored vehicles.

Its battlefield use, notably in Ukraine, has underscored the importance of portable anti-tank weapons in contemporary warfare.For India, the system could offer another layer of anti-armour capability alongside its existing assortment of indigenous and imported anti-tank weapons.The acquisition could be particularly consequential for India's land forces given the nation's extensive and arduous borders, where mobile infantry units must swiftly respond to armored threats.The proposed purchase also coincides with India and the US striving to fortify defense and strategic cooperation.

The Javelin has previously been deliberated in the context of enhancing India's infantry anti-armour capabilities, although the two countries have not disclosed specifics of the proposed purchase, such as the quantity of missiles or its value.The move would grant Indian forces access to a seasoned US anti-tank system while potentially paving the way for closer defense-industrial cooperation between the two nations.