Javelin | An icon of modern warfare

The U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, announced on August 28 that India plans to purchase the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system, signaling a significant enhancement to the U.S.-India defense relationship. The Javelin, developed by the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is a versatile and portable weapon system capable of handling a variety of threats.

It is a "fire-and-forget" anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system consisting of a Command Launch Unit (CLU) and the missile, which uses an imaging infrared seeker for guidance after launch. With over 20 years of proven performance, the Javelin has been deployed in multiple conflict zones, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and is expected to remain in U.S. military inventory until 2050.

The missile system boasts an impressive operational readiness rate of 99% and an engagement success rate of 94%. The economic impact of the Javelin is also noteworthy, with over 5,000 combat firings prior to the Ukraine conflict, involving 63 domestic suppliers across 18 states and 22 international suppliers. The recent announcement in India highlights the assembly of the ATGMs, with the U.S. playing a leading role in the production process.

A memorandum of understanding between JVV and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) outlines the co-production of Javelin All Up Rounds (AURs) in the U.S. and final assembly at TASL. This partnership comes after a 15-year struggle to resolve technology transfer and local production issues between India and the U.S., during which time India has maintained a diverse anti-tank inventory, including limited supplies of the Israeli Spike and the development of its "Third Generation" Fire and Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile.