Javelin anti-tank missiles to be assembled in India with Tata partnership

Tata Advanced Systems Limited has signed an agreement with American defence firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to co-produce the Javelin anti-tank missile system in India. The two US companies, operating jointly as the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), have so far manufactured over 55,000 missiles and more than 12,000 reusable launch units.

The pact will explore setting up a final assembly and integration facility in India, along with component production capabilities. Under the proposed arrangement, sub-assemblies and guidance electronic units — the onboard computers that steer the missile — will be made in the US and shipped to India for final integration.

The companies said the move aligns with India's 'aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision, creating high-tech jobs and advancing local manufacturing expertise. It is also expected to support global supply chain resilience amid rising demand.

From a regional perspective, localised production is seen as a way to ensure a steady supply of a proven weapons system for the US and its allies in the Indian Ocean Region and Southeast Asia. Tata Advanced Systems CEO Sukaran Singh said the deal brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India's defence ecosystem while strengthening self-reliance.

Local manufacturing also enables interoperability, allowing Indian, US, and allied forces to share weapons in coordinated operations. Additionally, shifting assembly outside the US is expected to reduce the cost of each Javelin system.

Last week, the Indian Army confirmed it had finalised a deal to acquire the Javelin through the US Foreign Military Sales process.

About the Javelin

The Javelin entered US service in 1996. It is a man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile with an effective range of 2.5 km. Its infrared guidance system locks onto a target after launch, allowing operators to take cover or reload immediately.

The system weighs about 22 kg, with the missile itself accounting for 8.4 kg. It uses a 'soft launch' mechanism, where an initial motor propels the missile out of the tube before the main motor ignites, reducing recoil and backblast.

The weapon is used by the US Army and Marines and has numerous international customers, including Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.