Army inks pact to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles

[Ashwin]

The development is also aligned with ‘Make In India’ initiative of the government.​

India has submitted letter of request to United States for co-production of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) in the country.

A top defence source who has confirmed the development said that India has shown interest and submitted the proposal to the U.S. authorities for co-production of javelin missile. The development is also aligned with ‘Make In India’ initiative of the NDA government.

“It will ensure operational readiness and reduce the dependability on foreign support. The talks are in advance stage,” the official added. Javelin is one of the most advanced third-generation ATGMs in the world.

Amid growing urgency to replenish and add new weaponry, the official said that they were already in touch with the United States for procurement of javelin missiles under emergency procurement.

Considering India’s strategic imperatives, particularly the need to counter evolving threats from both Pakistan and China, the Javelin missile system presents a strong case for bolstering India’s anti-tank warfare capabilities, the official added.

Priority for weight-less missile systems​

Defence forces are looking at shoulder-fired missile systems that are less in weight and can be carried in difficult terrain by troops without engaging too many of them to carry it.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently held a phone conversation with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to review ongoing and forthcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries.

Javelin is developed and produced jointly by American defence majors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

India seeks U.S. nod for co-production of Javelin missiles

India seeks co-production of Javelin missiles with U.S. to enhance anti-tank warfare capabilities and reduce foreign dependency.

www.thehindu.com

 

[jmaxwell_]

In an era where Trump wants more manufacturing jobs in US, I highly doubt the terms of this coproduction will result in anything more than SKDs.
And all the while MPATGM will be buried into obsolesence.
Money could have been better spent on things that help improve logistics which is really needed -- Chinooks, C130s, C17s, etc.

 

[Ashwin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2093242717803561181

 

[Ankit Kumar]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2093242717803561181

Either the general who bought the Spike ATGMs is corrupt or the general who initiated Javelin ATGMs procurement is.

And that person needs to be hanged at the red fort.

 

[Ashwin]

Either the general who bought the Spike ATGMs is corrupt or the general who initiated Javelin ATGMs procurement is.

And that person needs to be hanged at the red fort.

These Spike and Javlins are just few 100 missiles and don't matter in the larger scheme of things. Motivation could be something like jizya not corruption. Its under FMS rule, US anti-corruption rules apply for everyone involved. Remember what Adani had to go through.

 

[Ankit Kumar]

These Spike and Javlins are just few 100 missiles and don't matter in the larger scheme of things. Motivation could be something like jizya not corruption. Its under FMS rule, US anti-corruption rules apply for everyone involved. Remember what Adani had to go through.

I am perfectly fine with paying political jizya.

More MH60Rs, CH47s and P8Is. That's the political jizya i support.

 

[jmaxwell_]

For comparative MPATGM trials (CLU performance, lighter weight, etc...) ?

 

[Speedster1]

Imo, Hellfire co-production would've been a much better alternative. It's on multiple platforms including Apache, SH, and even the incoming MQ-9Bs.

Plus the US has been deploying surface launched variants of it on everything from LCS to Stryker SHORAD vehicles.

Javelin is hard to justify when we have multiple local products like tge VEM Asibal (Tonbo dual mode seeker with AI target recognition algos) and BDL Amogha-3, besides the MPATGM itself.

Otoh, Dhruvastra/SANT is MIA.

 

[Ashwin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2093344314172797134

 

[Ashwin]

Javelin Joint Venture and Tata Advanced Systems Signs Agreement for Missile Co-Production in India

ORLANDO, Fla., August 30, 2026 – Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a partnership between Raytheon, an RTX business, and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) in India.

THE BIG PICTURE

Tata Advanced Systems has been selected by JJV as the prime partner for future in-country co-production efforts following an evaluation of multiple companies based on capability and expertise. Under the industry MOU, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the JJV will explore the establishment of a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR and component production capabilities in India. This agreement will support future production of the Javelin system while providing unique opportunities for Indian industry and strengthen regional stability for the Indo-Pacific.

The Javelin co-production effort will be beneficial for the India and U.S. partnership through creating, building and developing a strong defense workforce in India while sustaining American jobs in the domestic supply chain through multiyear production of sub-assembly kits at Lockheed Martin's Troy, Ala., facility and guidance electronics units (GEU) at Raytheon's Tucson, Ariz., facility. The sub-assembly kits and GEUs will be shipped to India for final assembly and integration.

WHY IT MATTERS

The establishment of in-country co-production will strengthen India’s defense industrial base by bringing final assembly and integration of the Javelin AUR to Indian facilities and suppliers, creating high‑tech jobs, advancing local manufacturing expertise and supporting global supply chain resiliency due to increased worldwide demand.
This agreement will also enhance regional security in the Indo‑Pacific by ensuring a reliable, locally sourced supply of the proven Javelin weapon system, supporting faster fielding and sustained readiness for partner nations in the region.
This partnership demonstrates deeper strategic collaboration between the JJV and Indian partners, reinforcing interoperability and joint defense initiatives that align with broader Indo‑Pacific partnership objectives.
The larger volume from co-production can help the U.S. government achieve economic order quantities, improving affordability and creating measurable cost-saving opportunities for programs that support JJV production.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVES

“Partnering with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to establish a dedicated Javelin final assembly and integration facility in India is a pivotal step in ensuring a resilient, supply chain for this critical anti-tank weapon system,” said Rich Liccion, vice president, JJV and program director, Lockheed Martin Javelin. “This collaboration not only expands India’s high‑tech manufacturing capabilities but also reinforces a stronger, more stable security architecture across the Indo‑Pacific region, enabling our partners around the world to respond swiftly to emerging threats.”
“This agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited establishes a foundation to strengthen the global supply chain for Javelin,” said Jenna Hunt Frazier, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon. “It supports faster fielding of the proven Javelin weapon system and sustained readiness for partner nations.”
“We are pleased to partner with the Javelin Joint Venture on this important next step in our long-standing relationship with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon,” said Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited. “This initiative brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India’s defence industrial ecosystem, while strengthening self-reliance. Local assembly of the Javelin All Up Round will enhance operational readiness and ensure timely access to proven, combat-ready capability for the Indian Armed Forces.”

 

[jmaxwell_]

So not a small order after all. And the Turks on SM are out in full force roasting India.

I must say, the Indian procurement system is nothing if not entertaining. It takes a certain talent to claim defeat from the jaws of victory. I don't doubt MPATGM will get some token orders but clearly a formula has taken shape on killing Atmanirbharta:

 

[screambowl]

So not a small order after all. And the Turks on SM are out in full force roasting India.

I must say, the Indian procurement system is nothing if not entertaining. It takes a certain talent to claim defeat from the jaws of victory. Clearly a formula has taken shape on killing Atmanirbharta:

View attachment 53745

India is now basically dealing to manufacture defense equipment in India instead of getting limited supplies, which is good. With the time India will have indigenous system as well.

 

[jmaxwell_]

India is now basically dealing to manufacture defense equipment in India instead of getting limited supplies, which is good. With the time India will have indigenous system as well.

Hmm, this I disagree with.

Limited order is fine to make a fair assessment of where things stand between domestic product and the bleeding edge export available, make future roadmaps, etc.

And these JVs are also fine for things India doesn't make yet (HTAs, P8is, etc).

But it's entirely unnecessary when you have MPATGM, Asibal, Amogha, etc. etc.

It's certainly going to be exploited to keep India always addicted and 2-3 decades behind...

 

[screambowl]

Hmm, this I disagree with.

Limited order is fine to make a fair assessment of where things standard between domestic product and the bleeding edge export available, make future roadmaps, etc.

And these JVs are also fine for things India doesn't make yet (HTAs, P8is, etc).

But it's entirely unnecessary when you have MPATGM, Asibal, Amogha, etc. etc.

It's certainly going to be exploited to keep India always addicted and 2-3 decades behind...

MPATGM is of different class and it is designed and developed by government and will be manufactured at home, it is beyond 3rd gen atgm due to it's automated weak spot targeting and edge AI seeker. It will be designed and manufactured in India only. The mass manufacturing will take a year or so may be more. This whole project was the result of US not providing their Javelin missiles to India due to prohibition on sensitive tech transfer to India.

The JJV and Tata are doing a separate deal and government has allowed it. It is basically about integrating the different parts, manufactured somewhere else like in Arizona, in a final assembly hub and make it ready. It is a divided supply chain concept. You are not spending a lot on this.

Both of them are different business concepts.

The need to do the deal arose since Javelin is very portable and during op sindoor army learnt the need of deploying highly portable shoulder launched atgms. The Milan 2T and the Konkurs have a direct hit path which can be intercepted these days, where as Indian army learnt that it requires something like flight profile of Nag missile but portable. This is why Javelin came in.

 

[STEPHEN COHEN]

These Javelins will be very useful on the LAC

Zorawar Induction will take time

If we De Induct T 90s and T 72s and redeploy them on Western front , then Army must have something to counter a sudden attack by PLA

 

[jmaxwell_]

MPATGM is of different class and it is designed and developed by government and will be manufactured at home, it is beyond 3rd gen atgm due to it's automated weak spot targeting and edge AI seeker. It will be designed and manufactured in India only. The mass manufacturing will take a year or so may be more. This whole project was the result of US not providing their Javelin missiles to India due to prohibition on sensitive tech transfer to India.

The JJV and Tata are doing a separate deal and government has allowed it. It is basically about integrating the different parts, manufactured somewhere else like in Arizona, in a final assembly hub and make it ready. It is a divided supply chain concept. You are not spending a lot on this.

Both of them are different business concepts.

The need to do the deal arose since Javelin is very portable and during op sindoor army learnt the need of deploying highly portable shoulder launched atgms. The Milan 2T and the Konkurs have a direct hit path which can be intercepted these days, where as Indian army learnt that it requires something like flight profile of Nag missile but portable. This is why Javelin came in.

MPATGM is capable of top attack as well. And from below it weights <30kg compared to 28kg... seems comparable. If planned properly, they would have already been inducted.

From what I've come to understand from the procurement process, it will go as follows:
- EP for off-the-shelf Javelins [Done]
- Token order for MPATGM [Done]
- IA makes noise about MPATGM, orders more Javelins; MPATGM effectively dead
- DRDO designs lighter-weight LCU for MPATGM
- IA/MOD is offered the Javelin LWLCU
- Process is rinsed and repeated

 

[screambowl]

MPATGM is capable of top attack as well. And from below it weights <30kg compared to 28kg... seems comparable. If planned properly, they would have already been inducted.

I never said it is not capable, I said it has more advance in seeker technology as I already mentioned. But it will take time before the shoulder launch version rolls out. The main reason is shoot and scoot to evade hostile fire locator radar.

There are already approvals to acquire MPATGM.