India sets sights on US Javelin anti-tank missile system. What is it?

One of the most famous anti-tank weapons in the world, the Javelin missile system uses fire-and-forget technology. It will be a potent addition to India's arsenal after last year's Operation Sindoor.

In Short

• The FGM-148 Javelin is man-portable, fire-and-forget missile
• Purchase signals deeper defence ties between India and US
• Sergio Gor says it will open door to co-production possibilities

India plans to buy the US-made shoulder-fired Javelin anti-tank guided missile system (ATGM), US ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on Friday, signalling further deepening of defence ties between Delhi and Washington. Calling it "big news", Gor asserted that it would open the door to co-production possibilities of Javelin missiles.

"Big news! India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system... This is a great step forward in the US-India defence relationship and opens the door to co-production possibilities. The engagement between our two nations is at record-high levels," Gor tweeted.

The Indian army has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the purchase of the Javelin missiles under emergency procurement. The development comes months after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his US counterpart Pete Hegseth signed a 10-year framework to deepen bilateral defence relations.

The deal, which will be through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, will allow the armed forces to bypass the convoluted and long procurement process for contracts.

India's interest in the American FGM-148 Javelin system, however, is not new. Issues like technology transfer and local production have repeatedly stalled India's plans to procure one of the most famous anti-tank weapons in the world. In fact, talks have been ongoing since 2010.

WHAT IS JAVELIN ANTI-TANK MISSILE SYSTEM?

Jointly manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget missile system. This means the operator does not have to manually guide the weapon to the target.

The missile system, which costs around $178,000, locks onto the target's heat signature before launch using its infrared seeker.

What makes the Javelin exceptional is its ability to strike tanks from above, where their armour is the weakest. Modern tanks are basically designed to survive frontal attacks. After being fired, the missile climbs to an altitude of 150 meters, and then dives onto the target from above.

Imagine a war scenario where battle tanks are pitted against Javelin missiles. A battle tank costs around $4 million. An infantry soldier carrying a Javelin system on his shoulder can destroy that tank in under 15 seconds.

Also consider the cost - the total Javelin system, including the command launch unit, costs a fraction of the target it's designed to kill. This is what makes the FGM-148 Javelin one of the most sought-after infantry weapons of the 21st century.

WHY IS IT KEY FOR INDIA'S ARMED FORCES?

When inducted, the Javelin missile system will undoubtedly be a potent addition to India's weaponry, especially following the hostilities with Pakistan last year.

In fact, the Indian Army's requirement for an advanced ATGM emerged in the early 2000s. Then, the Army was using the ageing French-origin Milan-2T and Soviet-era 9M113 Konkurs-M systems. While both were reliable, they were no match for third-generation ATGMs like Javelin.

The missile system was inducted by the US armed forces in the mid-1990s. Since then, it has evolved through several variants. While the base model has a maximum range of 2,500 metres, the more advanced FGM-148F system can fire missiles up to a range of 4,750 metres.

When the Indian forces ultimately acquire the Javelin system, it will bring to a close one of the longest-running defence procurement chapters in recent years.

- Ends