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The Indian Army has initiated an emergency procurement of the U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Director General (Infantry), said on Wednesday. The immediate buy covers 12 launchers and 104 missiles, and the move forms part of a broader push to enhance the Infantry’s anti-armour and short-range strike capabilities rapidly.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Infantry Day (Shaurya Diwas) on October 27, Lt Gen Kumar said the procurement was launched under an emergency route to meet pressing operational needs. At the same time, New Delhi has submitted a letter of request to U.S. authorities seeking permission to co-produce Javelin systems on Indian soil – a step the Army hopes will marry urgent capability with long-term indigenisation under the Make in India framework.
“We are pursuing an emergency acquisition to plug an immediate operational gap,” Lt Gen Kumar told the media.
The DG’s confirmation follows months of internal reviews and fast-track requirements to replenish and upgrade anti-tank inventories amid evolving threats along India’s land borders. Officials say the Javelin’s man-portable, fire-and-forget capability – which allows gunners to relocate immediately after firing – makes it especially attractive for mountain and difficult-terrain operations where mobility and quick engagement are critical.
Why Javelin?
The FGM-148 Javelin, developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is among the world’s most advanced third-generation shoulder-fired anti-tank guided missiles. Its top-attack flight profile climbs above a target to strike weaker armour sections, and its soft-launch design permits firing from confined spaces such as bunkers or buildings. The system comprises a disposable missile tube and a reusable Command Launch Unit (CLU), enabling rapid engagement and re-use of the sighting and targeting package.
Javelin’s proven battlefield record and ease of employment made it suitable for brigade and company-level use, particularly in areas where heavier platforms are impractical. For small, mobile infantry detachments operating in high altitudes and tough terrain, a man-portable, high-lethality system is a force multiplier.
Emergency buy and co-production bid
The immediate tranche – 12 launchers with 104 missiles – is intended to meet urgent operational requirements while the Army pursues a longer-term co-production arrangement. India has formally expressed interest in co-manufacturing the missiles, a move aligned with national objectives of building indigenous defence manufacturing capability and reducing lifecycle dependence on external suppliers.
Initial contacts with U.S. counterparts began in July under the emergency procurement stream, and those dialogues have since progressed.
Strategic context and capability fit
The Javelin announcement arrives amid a wider Infantry modernisation drive that includes new carbines, loitering munitions, enhanced ISR assets and the creation of light, rapid-strike units. Defence planners view shoulder-fired ATGMs like Javelin as complementary to heavier anti-tank systems, offering tactical commanders a portable option for decentralised, short-range anti-armour engagements.
“The capability landscape is changing rapidly,” Lt Gen Kumar said. “Our approach balances urgent acquisition with indigenisation – buying what we need now, while building the capacity to make and sustain these systems domestically.”
If co-production talks progress to an agreement, India would join a small group of nations authorised to manufacture or license-produce advanced U.S. ATGMs. For now, the immediate procurement will be inducted into service upon arrival and completion of the requisite user trials and training. The Army will provide deployment timelines once deliveries commence and operational testing is complete.
In a joint statement following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington in February, India and the US announced plans to pursue new procurement and co-production arrangements for Javelin anti-tank guided missiles to address India’s defence needs. The leaders also revealed upcoming procurements and co-production arrangements for Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles in India. The discussion about the joint production of these missiles took place last year during the visit of former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
