India to Buy US Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles: Ambassador Sergio Gor

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Aug 28: India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank missile system from the United States, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on Friday, calling the proposed procurement a major step forward in the defence partnership between the two countries and opening the door to potential co-production.

“BIG news! India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system,” Gor said in a post on X, adding that the move would create new opportunities for deeper defence-industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

“Just as US Secretary of State Pete Hegseth highlighted at the May 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, this is a great step forward in the US-India defence relationship and opens the door to co-production possibilities,” Gor said.

The US Embassy in India said the Javelin system is already in service with the US Army and Marine Corps, as well as with several international customers.

“The agreement creates new opportunities for the defence industries of both countries to work together. We see tremendous potential for future cooperation that strengthens the defence industrial bases of both countries,” Gor added.

The exact number of Javelin systems India plans to procure, as well as the overall value of the deal, was not immediately known. The Indian government also did not immediately comment on the announcement.

The Javelin is a man-portable, medium-range anti-tank guided missile system jointly developed by Lockheed Martin and RTX. It uses a “fire-and-forget” guidance system, allowing the operator to lock on to a target before launch and move to cover after firing.

Designed primarily to engage armoured vehicles, the missile uses a top-attack profile that strikes the relatively vulnerable upper surfaces of a tank. The system's portable design allows troops to rapidly reposition after firing and engage additional threats.

The Javelin also incorporates a soft-launch capability, enabling it to be fired from confined positions such as buildings and bunkers.

The weapon was developed and produced for the US Army and Marine Corps by the Javelin Joint Venture, involving Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

The announcement comes amid expanding US-India defence cooperation and India's growing procurement of American military equipment. In November 2025, the US State Department approved a potential $93 million sale to India covering up to 100 Javelin systems and 216 Excalibur guided artillery projectiles.

India already operates Excalibur ammunition with its M777 howitzers. The country has also acquired several major US-made defence platforms, including Apache and Chinook helicopters, C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and M777 howitzers.

The proposed Javelin procurement could further deepen defence-industrial ties between the two countries, particularly if it leads to expanded cooperation in local production and co-development.