Indian Army Signs Deal with USA for FGM-148 Javelin Missiles

September 1, 2026

The Indian Army has signed a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) worth US$93 million to procure nearly 100 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems.

The acquisition follows approval from the US State Department in November 2025 and will be made through the emergency procurement route.

Key Highlights

Deal value: US$93 million.
Missiles: Nearly 100 Javelin missiles.
The package also includes:
- One fly-to-buy round.
- 25 Command Launch Units (CLUs).
- Training aids and simulation rounds.
- Spare parts.
- Full lifecycle support.
Procurement is being made under 6th Emergency Procurement Window (EP-6). Under EP-6, the armed forces can procure equipment worth up to ₹300 crore per contract. Because of this ceiling, the Javelins are being procured in limited numbers.
Deliveries under the emergency contracts are expected to begin by the end of FY 2026–27.
The agreement further strengthens the India-US Major Defense Partnership.

What is Javelin Missile?

The FGM-148 Javelin is a US-developed man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) designed primarily to destroy tanks and other armoured vehicles.

Entered service: US military in 1996.
Developed/produced by: Javelin Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and RTX (Raytheon).
It can also engage: Fortified positions, Bunkers, Buildings and Other battlefield targets.

Main Components

The system consists of:

A missile sealed inside a disposable launch tube.
A reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU) with day and thermal imaging sights.

Important Features

Fire-and-forget: After launch, the missile guides itself, allowing the soldier to move to cover or change position.
Uses a passive imaging-infrared seeker.
Tandem warhead helps defeat modern armour, including explosive reactive armour.
Soft-launch system allows the missile to leave the tube before the main rocket motor starts, making it suitable for relatively confined positions.
Can be used by infantry and integrated with suitable vehicles/platforms.
Range: Approximately 65 metres to 4 km in most operational conditions.
Missile diameter: 127 mm.
Complete round weight: About 15.5 kg.
Missile weight: Around 11.8 kg.
Current CLU weight: Roughly 7 kg.

How Does Javelin Work?

The operator uses the CLU to detect and lock onto the target.
The missile is launched using its soft-launch mechanism.
Its infrared seeker then guides the missile automatically.
The operator can relocate instead of continuously controlling the missile.

Two Attack Modes

Top-attack: The missile climbs and then strikes from above, targeting the comparatively weaker roof armour of armoured vehicles.
Direct-attack: The missile follows a more direct path and can be used against fortifications and other positions.

Javelin: Operational Background

The Javelin first saw combat during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
According to its manufacturers, it has been used in more than 5,000 engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Its international prominence increased following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine had received Javelins from the US before the invasion and used them against Russian armoured forces during the early phase of the war.

Javelin’s Importance for India

The acquisition will strengthen India’s infantry-level anti-armour capability with a combat-proven precision weapon.

Provides infantry with a portable anti-tank system.
Fire-and-forget capability improves soldier survivability.
Top-attack mode can exploit weaknesses in armoured vehicles.
Its portability provides operational flexibility.
Its extensive battlefield experience offers India a proven system for modern ground warfare.
Reflects the growing importance of precision, mobility and survivability in combat.
Further deepens India-US defence cooperation through the FMS route.
Potential co-production opportunities could increase Indian industry’s participation and support defence indigenisation.

India’s Indigenous Alternative: MPATGM

At the same time, DRDO’s Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) is undergoing final user evaluation trials before mass production.

MPATGM is a third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank missile.
The Javelin acquisition therefore provides an immediate enhancement to India’s anti-armour capability while the indigenous system moves towards production.