I was pleased to hear that the Indian Army has signed an agreement with the United States to buy FGM-148 Javelin anti‑tank missile systems, according to the United States Embassy in India on Friday. The embassy did not reveal how much the deal will cost.
The medium‑range guided missile system, made by Lockheed Martin and RTX ( Raytheon) is a fire‑and‑forget weapon that can target many different kinds of objects such as armored vehicles, the embassy said. The missile system is already used by the United States Army and Marine Corps and by other countries.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor said in a statement that the agreement opens up chances for the defence industries of both countries to collaborate.
“This agreement shows a defence partnership that is becoming stronger, capable and more important ” he was quoted as saying. “We believe there is a lot of potential for cooperation that will make the defence industries of both countries even stronger.”
New Delhi did not immediately respond with a comment on the agreement.
According to Lockheed, the missile system has an “arched top-attack profile,” with the missile flying above its target before hitting it from the top, causing damage where the armor is the weakest.
The manufacturer calls it “the world’s premier shoulder-fired armour system.”
India is the largest military spender in the world and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. India and the US signed a 10-year defense framework agreement in October.
Even though relations between the two countries have gotten worse in recent months, with Washington putting high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for buying Russian oil, and working closely with Pakistan, the defense relationship has not been affected.
In July, New Delhi gave approval for the purchase of equipment worth $5.46 billion for its defence forces. The equipment includes missiles, electronic warfare systems and Kamikaze drones.
The approval was given “in principle” by the Defence Acquisition Council or DAC. This council is made up of military officers and is led by the defence minister, according to a government statement.
The government said the total cost of this deal is expected to be around INR520 billion.
The statement did not say how long the purchases would take place over. It also did not mention whether the approved systems will be imported or built in India.
