India plans to procure US-made Javelin anti-tank missile system: Ambassador Gor
The Javelin comes with an automatic guidance mechanism which enables the missile to track its target after launch
India is planning to procure the US-made Javelin anti-tank missile system, announced US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday (August 28). The development assumes significance with regard to India’s defence cooperation with the US.
"BIG news! India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system," stated Gor in a post on X, adding that the engagement between the two countries is at “record high levels.”
Refers to Shangri-La Dialogue
Gor also referred to remarks made by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the May 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue. He said the latest development would further strengthen US-India defence ties.
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“Just as @secwar highlighted at the May 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, this is a great step forward in the U.S.-India defence relationship and opens the door to co-production possibilities. The engagement between our two nations is at record-high levels!” he added.
How the Javelin works
The Javelin is a widely used portable anti-tank missile system developed by Lockheed Martin and RTX for anti-armour operations. The shoulder-fired system comes with an automatic guidance mechanism which enables the missile to track its target after launch.
This lets the operators take cover and avoid retaliatory fire as well as reposition after firing or reload to engage another target.
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Another key feature of the Javelin is its arched top-attack trajectory due to which it climbs above its target and then slams down on it where the armour is weaker. Due to its soft launch feature, it can be safely launched from inside enclosed structures, including buildings and bunkers.
The anti-tank system was developed and produced for the US Army and Marine Corps by the Javelin Joint Venture, involving Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, and Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona.
Earlier US defence sale
In November 2025, the US State Department approved a potential USD 93 million defence sale to India, covering up to 100 Javelin systems and 216 Excalibur guided artillery projectiles. India already operates Excalibur ammunition with its M777 howitzers.
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The US and India signed a framework for a major defence partnership last year. The agreement is aimed at strengthening interoperability across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.
India has also acquired several US-made defence platforms over the years. These include Apache and Chinook helicopters, C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and M777 howitzers.