TSAMTO, July 18. India has sent an official request to the United States for permission to organize the joint production of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) in the country.
A senior Indian Defense Ministry official told The Hindu that negotiations between New Delhi and Washington are at an "advanced" stage. The project is part of the government's "Make in India" program aimed at strengthening the national defense industry and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
In parallel with the proposal for joint production, the military departments of the two countries are negotiating the urgent acquisition of a batch of Javelin ATGMs as part of an initial direct supply deal.
Recall that the purchase and joint production of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry fighting vehicles was announced in a joint statement following the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States and his talks with US President Donald Trump in mid-February this year.
Taking into account the agreements reached, the American company Javelin (JJV – Javelin Joint Venture) has begun exploring the possibility of establishing a joint venture for the production and assembly of Javelin ATGM in India.
The study process included the selection of Indian partners for cooperation on a competitive basis. As part of this initiative, the JJV joint venture formed by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon (a division of RTX) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), specializing in the manufacture of weapons. The agreement will allow JJV to evaluate the possibility of producing Javelin ATGMS in India to meet the prospective needs of the Ministry of Defense of that country.
Dave Pantano, Vice President of JJV and Director of the Javelin program, said on February 12, 2025 that negotiations with potential Indian partners are aimed at establishing long-term strategic cooperation. The aim of the project is to increase India's defense capability by attracting national industry to production.
Andy Amaro, President of the Javelin joint venture and Director of the program at Raytheon, noted that the growing demand for Javelin ensures the possibility of its production in India. This cooperation, he said, would provide India with a proven anti-tank weapons system.
The Javelin ATGM was developed by the JJV joint venture. In total, more than 55,000 missiles and 12,000 targeting launchers were produced for the armed forces of 25 countries.
The Javelin is a portable, multi-purpose medium-range missile system using shot-and-forget missiles. Equipped with a thermal imaging seeker, the missile is designed to destroy armored vehicles in difficult weather conditions and at any time of the day, including those equipped with dynamic protection, buildings and fortifications at ranges from 75 m to 2.5 km and can be launched by a single soldier. The tandem warhead allows you to attack a target in a frontal projection or in a low-security upper one from a height of up to 150 m.
