The Indian Army has formalised a contract to purchase approximately 100 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles from the United States.
Valued at $93 million, the procurement was executed under the Foreign Military Sales programme via the emergency acquisition route, following initial clearance from the US State Department in November 2025.
The comprehensive package equips the infantry with 100 missiles, 25 reusable command launch units (CLUs), one fly-to-buy round, simulation equipment, training aids, spare components, and complete lifecycle support.
United States Ambassador Sergio Gor announced the development on Friday, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
Referencing comments made by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the Shangri-La Dialogue in May 2026, Gor highlighted that military cooperation between the two nations is at an unprecedented high.
Furthermore, the US Embassy indicated that this contract paves the way for potential joint manufacturing of the Javelin system—currently produced by a joint venture between RTX and Lockheed Martin—aimed at boosting the defence industrial capabilities of both countries.
Technical Superiority on the Battlefield
The FGM-148 Javelin is a highly advanced, medium-range, "fire-and-forget" weapon system.Unlike older wire-guided weapons that require the operator to track the target until impact, the Javelin utilises an automated infrared guidance system.
This soft-launch mechanism allows soldiers to fire from enclosed spaces and immediately take cover before the main rocket motor ignites.
The weapon is particularly lethal against modern main battle tanks because it can execute a "top-attack" flight profile, soaring to 150 metres before striking the roof of an armoured vehicle where the plating is at its thinnest.
It can also be switched to a direct-attack mode to engage fortified bunkers, buildings, and low-flying helicopters.
With this acquisition, India joins the US military and several other global armed forces in operating the battle-tested system.
Balancing Imports with Indigenous Development
This emergency American purchase arrives as India advances its own domestic military manufacturing.India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently conducting final user evaluation trials for its indigenous Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM).
The Indian-designed third-generation weapon shares similar fire-and-forget characteristics, dual-mode infrared seekers, and top-attack capabilities, and it is expected to enter mass production soon to fulfill the broader, long-term requirements of the armed forces.
The Javelin deal reflects a broader trend of targeted defence equipment transfers long championed by the Trump administration.
In addition to the anti-tank systems, a November 2025 notification from the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency revealed India's request for up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical artillery projectiles, estimated at $47.1 million.
The GPS-guided Excalibur is a precision, extended-range munition that minimises collateral damage and was notably deployed by Indian artillery units to strike hostile installations during Operation Sindoor.
