India Eyes Procurement of US Javelin Anti-Tank Missile Systems

The US State Department greenlit the potential sale last November, authorizing a transaction valued at approximately USD 93 million. This package includes up to 100 Javelin systems and 216 Excalibur guided artillery projectiles, the latter of which India already integrates with its M777 howitzer batteries. The acquisition follows a broader trend of New Delhi diversifying its arsenal with American platforms, including Apache and Chinook helicopters, as well as C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft.

Developed by a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and RTX, the Javelin system utilizes an automatic guidance mechanism that tracks targets post-launch. This allows operators to seek cover immediately after firing, mitigating the risk of counter-battery strikes. The missile follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory, striking the top of armored vehicles where protection is traditionally thinnest. Its soft-launch capability further permits firing from within buildings or bunkers, providing significant tactical flexibility for ground infantry.