The United States has approved two major defence sales to India, clearing the transfer of Excalibur artillery projectiles and Javelin anti-tank missile systems worth an estimated $93 million. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the approved package includes Excalibur projectiles and related equipment valued at $47.1 million
Javelin missile systems and associated equipment worth $45.7 million
In its official statement, the DSCA said, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.”
Excalibur Projectiles: What India Is Getting
The Indian government requested the purchase of up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. The principal contractor for this sale will be RTX Corporation, Arlington, Virginia. The package also includes several non-major defence items such as:
Ancillary equipment
Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK)
Primers and propellant charges
US government technical assistance and technical data
Repair-and-return services
Logistics and programme support elements
The DSCA noted, “The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first strike accuracy in its brigades. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Javelin Missile System Sale
India has also sought to acquire:
100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds
1 Javelin FGM-148 missile (fly-to-buy)
25 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU)
Supporting Equipment Included in the Package
The non-major defence equipment accompanying the Javelin systems includes:
Javelin LwCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers
Missile simulation rounds
Battery coolant unit
Interactive electronic technical manual
Javelin operator manuals
Lifecycle support
Physical security inspections
Spare parts
System integration and checkout
Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance
Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance
Tool kits and training
Block 1 CLU refurbishment services
Additional logistics and programme support elements
The US department stated, “The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
About the Javelin FGM-148
The Javelin FGM-148 is a U.S.-made, man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank missile that entered service in 1996, replacing the earlier M47 Dragon system.
According to the OE Data Integration Network (ODIN), it uses automatic infrared guidance, allowing the operator to take cover immediately after firing. It employs a top-attack flight profile against armoured vehicles to strike thinner upper armour. A direct-attack mode is also available for engaging buildings, closer targets, or targets under overhead cover.
The missile can reach:
500 feet altitude in top-attack mode
190 feet in direct-fire mode
Complete Breakdown of the $45.7 Million Javelin Package
The Javelin sale to India includes:
100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds
1 fly-to-buy FGM-148 missile
25 LwCLU or Block 1 CLUs
A comprehensive suite of training, manuals, support equipment, spare parts, inspection services, refurbishment capability, and technical assistance from SAMD and TAGM
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Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
