India has taken a major step toward strengthening its infantry anti-armour capability after the Indian Army signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of the US-made Javelin missile system. The purchase is being conducted through the US Foreign Military Sales process and could eventually support broader India-US cooperation involving local production.The agreement follows Washington’s approval of India’s Javelin request in November. Under the approved US package, India was cleared to obtain 100 missile rounds along with 25 lightweight Command Launch Units for an estimated $45.7 million. One FGM-148 missile was also included for fly-to-buy assessment.In addition to the missiles and launch units, the approved package contains training equipment, simulated rounds, battery cooling equipment, technical manuals, spare parts and long-term sustainment support. Systems integration and testing assistance are also part of the arrangement.According to Asian News International, however, the Indian Army’s actual procurement is expected to be worth ₹2.92 billion, or around $30.5 million, and will involve 60 Javelin rounds. Initial deliveries are expected around late 2026 or in 2027. The procurement is being implemented using emergency acquisition powers available to the Indian Army for individual purchases up to ₹3 billion.The Javelin provides infantry units with a man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank capability. It is designed to engage armoured threats from a minimum range of about 65 metres to a maximum of around 4 kilometres. Rather than striking directly from the front, the missile can follow a curved top-attack trajectory that brings it down onto the target’s upper armour.The missile’s soft-launch configuration also makes it suitable for use from confined positions. Its Command Launch Unit enables the operator to acquire and identify targets before launch, including when visibility is limited. The weapon is intended for use against both armoured vehicles and fortified targets.With a total weight of about 15.9 kilograms, the system is designed for operation by an individual soldier. RTX also states that the weapon can be integrated with uncrewed ground vehicles for remote employment.Javelin became particularly well known during the Russia-Ukraine war after its use against Russian armoured formations. Today, the system is fielded by the US military and more than 25 international customers.
