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The Indian Army is moving forward with an emergency procurement of FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from the United States to address immediate operational needs.
This urgent, short-term purchase is happening alongside a determined push to advance India's domestic anti-armour missile programmes.
Confirming the acquisition, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General (Infantry), stated that "twelve launchers and 104 missiles of the Javelin" are being acquired under the military's emergency procurement powers.
This fast-track channel is being used to quickly fill a critical capability gap for infantry units deployed along sensitive borders.
The FGM-148 Javelin is a battle-proven, third-generation missile renowned for its "fire-and-forget" capability, which allows the soldier to take cover immediately after firing.
The missile is highly valued for its "top-attack" mode, which allows it to fly upward and strike a tank's turret, where its armour is typically the weakest.
It also employs a "soft-launch" system, making it safer to fire from confined spaces like buildings or bunkers, a crucial feature for modern combat.
This import is intended to provide a rapid stop-gap, while parallel discussions continue for potential long-term co-production of the Javelin system in India.
At the same time, India's long-term strategy remains centred on self-reliance through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The cornerstone of this effort is the indigenously-developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM).
This system, which also features fire-and-forget technology, has successfully completed a series of trials, including tests in 2024, and is now reportedly ready for final user evaluation trials before induction.
Once deployed, the MP-ATGM is slated to replace the Army's older, second-generation missiles like the French-origin MILAN and the Russian Konkurs systems. State-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited is poised to be the lead production agency.
Beyond the MP-ATGM, the Army is pursuing multiple indigenous routes to bolster its anti-armour inventory
Lt. Gen. Kumar highlighted the use of the "Make-2" procurement procedure. This government route encourages Indian private and public industries to fund, design, and develop defence equipment prototypes.
If the prototypes are successful, the Ministry of Defence provides an "assurance of order," accelerating domestic capability.
Furthermore, officials have confirmed that the Army is in the final stages of drafting a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a fourth-generation ATGM.
Such a system would likely incorporate highly advanced features, including multi-mode seekers, networked firing capabilities to team with sensors, and tactics designed to defeat the Active Protection Systems (APS) found on modern tanks.
This dual-track approach reflects a pragmatic strategy.
While emergency imports like the Javelin provide an immediate and necessary deterrent, the government's aggressive push for indigenous programmes like the MP-ATGM and future "Make-2" projects is aimed at achieving long-term strategic independence in a critical defence technology
