US’ Javelin missiles to be made in India in partnership with Tata firm

The US' Javelin anti-tank missile system – a shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget weapon – will be co-produced in-country. A pact was signed to this effect between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and American defence contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the companies said in a statement on Monday.

Operating as the Javelin Joint Venture, the two American companies have manufactured over 55,000 missiles and more than 12,000 reusable launch units so far. The JJV will now work with Tata Advanced Systems to "explore the establishment of a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR and component production capabilities in India", a joint statement said.

This will 'support future in-country production of the Javelin missile system while providing unique opportunities (for India) and strengthen regional stability in the Indo-Pacific', the three companies said. What this means is that the sub-assembly kits and GEUs, or guidance electronic units, i.e., the on-board computer that guides the missile to its target once fired, will be produced separately in the US and then shipped to India for assembly and integration.

In line with the Indian government's 'aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision, this should create 'high-tech jobs (in India) and advance local manufacturing expertise, as well as support global supply chain resiliency due to increased worldwide demand', the statement said.

From a regional security standpoint, localised production of the Javelin missile will ensure a reliable and steady supply of a proven weapons system, both for the US and its allies in the Indian Ocean Region as well as the wider South East Asia region.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of Tata Advanced Systems, made that point. He said the deal with the JJV 'brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India’s defence industrial ecosystem while strengthening self-reliance', and that 'local assembly of the Javelin will enhance operational readiness and ensure timely access to proven, combat-ready capability for the Indian armed forces'.

Equally significantly, localised manufacturing ensures interoperability, i.e., it allows Indian, US, and allied militaries to share weapons in scenarios where individual nations' defence priorities align with the broader Indo-Pacific partnership objectives.

And finally, though no less important, shifting production, or at least assembly, outside the US means Washington makes each Javelin ATG system less expensive. Last week the Indian Army said it had finalised the deal to buy the Javelin anti-tank missile via the US Foreign Military Sales process.

The Javelin first entered service with the US military in 1996. It is an anti-tank guided munition with a standard effective range of 2.5 km. A single person can carry this missile system and fire it from their shoulder.

Alternatively, it can also be fired from a remote launcher mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle. The Javelin's biggest selling point is that it is a man-portable, 'fire-and-forget' missile – i.e., its infrared guidance system allows it track a target once fired.

This means operators can move to cover after firing one round or reload to fire again. That combination makes it particularly lethal.