The proposed arrangement would involve sub-assembly kits produced at Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama, and guidance electronics units manufactured at Raytheon's facility in Tucson, Arizona, being shipped to India for final assembly and integration.
Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a collaboration between two US-based manufacturers, to explore co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) in India, according to a joint media statement released by the firms.
Key Points
- Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) will explore co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) in India.
- The initiative aims to establish a final assembly and integration facility and component production capabilities in India, enhancing self-reliance and operational readiness.
- The proposed arrangement involves shipping sub-assembly kits and guidance electronics from the US to India for final assembly.
- This MoU follows a recent ₹292 crore government-to-government agreement between India and the US for Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems for the Indian Army.
- The Javelin is a man-portable, shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon with a range of over 4,500 metres, designed for infantry use against armoured systems and bunkers.
An AUR refers to a complete, ready-to-use Javelin missile round, including the missile and its integrated components.
It is jointly produced by Raytheon, which manufactures the guidance electronics, and Lockheed Martin, which produces the sub-assembly kits, under the JJV responsible for the Javelin anti-tank missile system.
Under the agreement, TASL has been selected by JJV as its 'prime partner for future in-country co-production efforts'.
The two sides will explore establishing a 'final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR' and 'component production capabilities' in India.
The proposed arrangement would involve sub-assembly kits produced at Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Alabama, and guidance electronics units manufactured at Raytheon's facility in Tucson, Arizona, being shipped to India for final assembly and integration.
'This initiative brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India's defence industrial ecosystem, while strengthening self-reliance. Local assembly of the Javelin AUR will enhance operational readiness and ensure timely access to proven, combat-ready capability for the Indian armed forces,' said Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD, TASL.
Strategic Procurement and Javelin Capabilities
The MoU follows a government-to-government agreement on Friday between India and the US for the procurement of the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system for the Indian Army.
The procurement is being undertaken through the US foreign military sales route, with the army signing a letter of offer and acceptance.
The deal is estimated at ₹292 crore and is being executed under the emergency procurement route. The quantity of missiles and launchers has not been disclosed.
The Javelin is a medium-range, man-portable, shoulder-launched, fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon designed for infantry use. It can also be mounted on vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft.
With a maximum range of more than 4,500 metres, it is intended primarily to engage tanks and other armoured systems, but can also be used against bunkers. Its fire-and-forget capability allows the operator to fire and immediately relocate.
The Javelin system comprises two components: A reusable, lightweight command launch unit (CLU) and a round contained in a disposable launch-tube assembly. The JJV has produced more than 55,000 Javelin missiles and over 12,000 reusable CLUs so far.
