🇮🇳🇺🇸 India–US Arms Deal: America Approves Sale of Javelin FGM-148 Missiles to India

The United States has approved the sale of the Javelin Missile System (FGM-148) and related equipment to India. This advanced man-portable anti-tank missile system will significantly enhance India’s combat capabilities. The estimated cost of the deal is USD 45.7 million, roughly ₹400 crore. The approval was confirmed by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which has also notified the US Congress.

According to the DSCA, this proposed deal will boost the foreign policy and strategic partnership between India and the United States. It will strengthen defence interoperability and deepen military cooperation between the two nations.

What’s Included in the Package?

Under the offer, India will receive:

100 FGM-148 Javelin missile rounds

1 Javelin FGM-148 missile

25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU) or Javelin Block 1 CLU units

The package also includes:

Javelin LWCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers

Missile simulation rounds

Battery coolant units

Interactive technical manuals

Javelin operation manuals

Lifecycle support

Spare parts and other support equipment

India’s Military Capability to Strengthen

The DSCA stated that this deal will significantly enhance India’s military strength, especially as a key US defence partner. It will help promote stability, peace, and economic development across the Indo-Pacific and South Asian regions.

The agency also assured that this sale will not harm US national security interests and that India will easily integrate these systems into its forces without any difficulty.

Features of Javelin FGM-148

The Javelin FGM-148 is a US-made, portable fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system, in service since 1996. It replaced the older M47 Dragon missile system.

Key features include:

Uses automatic infrared guidance, allowing soldiers to take cover immediately after launch

Highly effective against armoured vehicles

Can strike targets hidden inside buildings

Range:

500 ft (Top-attack mode)

190 ft (Direct fire mode)

The missile’s “lock-on before launch” technology makes it one of the most lethal anti-tank systems in the world.