In a major move to bolster its frontline anti-armour capability, the Indian Army has initiated the emergency procurement of the American FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) system under fast-track financial powers, according to a report by Bharat Shakti.
The procurement includes 12 launchers and 104 missiles, authorised under the emergency route to meet urgent operational requirements amid evolving border threats. Confirming the development, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General (Infantry), stated that the decision aims to rapidly enhance the Army’s firepower and anti-tank effectiveness in forward areas.
Developed jointly by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the Javelin is a third-generation, shoulder-fired “fire-and-forget” missile renowned for its top-attack flight profile, which enables it to strike enemy armour from above — the most vulnerable point. Its soft-launch mechanism allows it to be fired safely from confined spaces, while the Command Launch Unit (CLU) provides day and night target acquisition, making it ideal for mountain and rugged terrain warfare.
Alongside the emergency purchase, India has submitted a formal Letter of Request (LoR) to the United States seeking approval for co-production of the Javelin missile system under the Make in India initiative. The proposal aims to establish local manufacturing capabilities, reduce import dependency, and strengthen India’s defence industrial base.
According to defence officials, preliminary discussions on the co-production framework have been positively received by U.S. counterparts, with technical consultations ongoing since July. If approved, India would join a select group of nations licensed to produce or assemble the Javelin, reinforcing its position as a key strategic defence partner of the United States.
The co-production plan aligns with India’s broader defence cooperation roadmap, which also envisions future joint ventures on systems like the Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle.
The induction of the Javelin complements the Army’s infantry modernisation efforts, including the procurement of new carbines, loitering munitions, and enhanced reconnaissance systems. The missile is expected to be deployed at the brigade and company level, particularly in mountain warfare and quick-reaction units, offering troops portable, high-lethality precision strike capability against enemy armour without heavy artillery support.
Deliveries will be followed by user trials and operator training before full-scale induction. Once operational, the Javelin will substantially enhance India’s short-range anti-tank defence along sensitive frontiers.
Lt Gen Ajay Kumar underscored that while the emergency acquisition addresses immediate needs, the strategic goal remains to indigenise and sustain such systems domestically, marking another step toward India’s technological self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
