The US State Department has cleared two potential Foreign Military Sales to India worth approximately $92.8 million, marking another step forward in strengthening bilateral defense ties. The approved deals include shipments of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur precision artillery rounds designed to boost India’s battlefield capabilities.
The Javelin package, estimated at $45.7 million, includes a fly-to-buy FGM-148 missile, 100 additional rounds, and 25 command launch units (CLU), including upgraded Block 1 variants. The offer also features training equipment such as simulators and CLU basic skills systems, plus support items including battery coolant units. The man-portable Javelin system gives infantry soldiers a high-accuracy, fire-and-forget weapon effective out to 4 kilometers.
The second potential deal, valued at $47.1 million, includes up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery shells. It also provides portable fire control systems with improved integration kits, along with primers, propellant charges, and maintenance support. The Excalibur’s GPS and inertial guidance enable long-range precision strikes with a reported 2-meter accuracy, making it one of the most advanced artillery munitions in service.
Javelin technology is produced by the RTX and Lockheed Martin Joint Venture, offering thermal imaging through its CLU for operations in low visibility and remote-launcher capability when mounted on unmanned ground vehicles. Combined with Excalibur’s long-range precision, the approved sales are expected to enhance India’s ability to engage armored threats and carry out strategic artillery missions.
