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The Indian Army has signed an agreement to purchase advanced Javelin anti-tank missile systems from the United States, the US Embassy in India confirmed on Friday, according to Reuters.
The financial value of the deal was not officially disclosed. However, Indian media reported that the purchase is worth around $45.7 million.
Under the agreement, India will receive 100 FGM-148 Javelin missiles and 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU), along with training equipment and technical support.
The medium-range guided missiles, jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and RTX, are designed to carry out precision strikes against armoured vehicles and fortified positions. The Javelin system is currently used by the US military and several other countries.
The deal comes amid recent tensions between Washington and New Delhi over US tariffs on Indian goods, India’s purchase of Russian crude oil and closer US ties with Pakistan. However, Reuters said the tensions have not negatively affected the two countries’ defence relationship.
India and the US signed a 10-year defence framework agreement last October aimed at deepening bilateral military ties.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the Javelin deal as a major step in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
India is currently the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer, after Ukraine, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the deal would strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the US and contribute to stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.
New Delhi did not immediately comment on the deal.
