US’ Javelin missiles to be made in India in partnership with Tata firm

The US government has entered into an agreement to manufacture Javelin anti-tank missiles in India, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and American defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. This joint venture, known as the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), aims to establish a final assembly and integration facility in India, alongside component production capabilities.

The agreement supports future in-country production of the Javelin missile system, which will involve the production of sub-assembly kits and guidance electronic units (GEUs) in the US, followed by assembly and integration in India. This move aligns with India's "aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision, fostering high-tech job creation, advancing local manufacturing expertise, and enhancing regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Javelin missile, first introduced in 1996, is a shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget weapon with a standard effective range of 2.5 km. It is particularly effective against armored vehicles and fortified positions, and has been successfully used by US and allied forces during conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.