US Clears Javelin Missile Possible Sale to India: What's in the Package?

The Trump administration has approved a possible sale of the Javelin Missile System and related equipment to India at an estimated cost of $45.7 million. In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation

Agency (DSCA) said that the proposed sale would support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship.The proposed sale will improve India's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats, it said. "India will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces," DSCA added.The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, it said.What Does The Package Include?India had requested to buy one hundred (100) FGM-148 Javelin rounds; one (1) Javelin FGM-148 missile, fly-to-buy; and twenty-five (25) Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Javelin Block 1 Command Launch Units (CLU).The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: Javelin LwCLU or CLU Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; battery coolant unit; interactive electronic technical manual; Javelin operator manuals; lifecycle support; physical security inspection; spare parts; system integration and check out; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; tool kits; training; Block 1 CLU refurbishment services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $45.7 million.Javelin FGM-148The world's premier shoulder-fired anti-armor system, Javelin automatically guides itself to the target after launch, allowing the gunner to take cover and avoid counterfire. Soldiers or Marines can reposition immediately after firing, or reload to engage another threat."Using an arched top-attack profile, Javelin climbs above its target for improved visibility and then strikes where the armor is weakest. To fire, the gunner places a cursor over the selected target. The Javelin command launch unit then sends a lock-on-before-launch signal to the missile. With its soft launch design, Javelin can be safely fired from inside buildings or bunkers," according to Lockheed Martin.Javelin was developed and produced for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps by the Javelin Joint Venture between Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida and Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona.