In a significant move for bilateral defence cooperation, the United States government has greenlit a major military sale to India. The US State Department has officially approved the potential foreign military sale of FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems and M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles to the Indian government, in a deal valued at an estimated $93 million.
Strategic Significance and Deal Details
This approval was formally announced by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in a notification made public on Thursday. The agency stated that this proposed sale aligns directly with the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States. It is designed to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and enhance the security of a major defence partner, which the US views as a crucial actor for stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions.
This defence agreement marks a notable development as it is the first such purchase by New Delhi from Washington since US President Donald Trump escalated tariffs on Indian goods to 50%. That earlier decision was implemented as a punitive measure following India's continued purchases of Russian oil.
Enhancing India's Military Capabilities
According to the detailed DSCA statement, the infusion of this advanced military hardware will significantly boost India's defensive and offensive capabilities. The agency emphasized that the sale will improve India's capacity to counter current and future battlefield threats by providing critical precision-strike equipment. This technology is expected to substantially increase the first-strike accuracy of its army brigades.
The DSCA also confidently noted that India will face no difficulties in absorbing these advanced articles and services into its armed forces, indicating a smooth integration process.
Inside the FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank System
The Javelin missile system is a world-renowned, man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system. Jointly produced by American defence giants Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, it is designed for a single operator and is effective at medium ranges. Its key feature is the 'fire-and-forget' technology; once the operator locks onto a target using the command launch unit and fires the missile, the Javelin guides itself to the target automatically.
This allows the soldier to immediately take cover, relocate, or prepare to engage another threat, vastly improving survivability. The Javelin is renowned for its top-attack profile, where the missile climbs above the target and then strikes down on it, hitting where the armour is typically weakest. It is a mainstay weapon for the US Army and Marine Corps and is currently in use by 25 nations worldwide.
The accompanying M982A1 Excalibur is a GPS-guided, precision artillery projectile that dramatically improves accuracy for howitzers, reducing collateral damage and increasing lethality.
