Army to acquire Javelins from US, 17 years after hunt for 'tank-killers' began - The New Indian Express

**Army to acquire Javelins from US, 17 years after hunt for “tank‑killers” began**

New Delhi – The Indian Army will procure the U.S.‑made FGM‑148 Javelin anti‑tank missile system in a deal announced on Tuesday, marking the culmination of a 17‑year‑long search for a lightweight, fire‑and‑forget “tank‑killer.” According to a joint statement from the Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of State, the contract covers 2,000 Javelin missiles, 100 launch units and associated training, spares and life‑cycle support, with an estimated value of **US $1.1 billion** (≈ ₹9,500 crore). The agreement, signed at the Pentagon, is the latest addition to the expanding Indo‑U.S. defence partnership and comes at a time when the Indian Army is modernising its infantry anti‑armor capabilities to counter the growing mechanised forces of both China and Pakistan along the northern frontiers.

The Javelin system, praised for its top‑attack trajectory and ability to engage targets up to 2.5 km away without the operator being exposed, will complement existing platforms such as the indigenous Nag missile and the Russian‑origin Kornet. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that the Javelin’s “fire‑and‑forget” capability reduces crew vulnerability and enhances battlefield survivability, especially in high‑altitude and urban environments where conventional tank‑destroyers are less effective. The procurement also includes a comprehensive training programme for Indian personnel, to be conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia, and an indigenous maintenance hub to be set up in Delhi, ensuring long‑term sustainment and potential future co‑production under the “Make in India” umbrella.

Strategic analysts see the deal as a signal of India’s intent to diversify its arms sources and reduce reliance on legacy Soviet‑era equipment. While the Javelin’s short‑range profile does not replace longer‑range anti‑armor solutions, its portability and rapid deployment suit the Army’s ongoing restructuring of infantry battalions into more agile, network‑centric units. The acquisition arrives amid heightened tensions on the Line of Actual Control, where Chinese forces have fielded advanced main‑battle‑tanks and unmanned combat vehicles. By adding a proven, battle‑tested missile to its inventory, India aims to bolster deterrence and maintain a credible anti‑armor edge in the sub‑regional security calculus.