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India Signs LOA for US Javelin ‘Fire-and-Forget’ Anti-Tank Missile System via FMS

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains High
28 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Range 2.5 kmWeight 22 kgMissile weight 8.4 kgTop attack altitude 150 mEntered service 199610,000+ missiles supplied to Ukraine (as of Sep 2024)
Bodies:US Embassy in IndiaIndian ArmyJavelin Joint Venture (Raytheon & Lockheed Martin)Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.India signs LOA for Javelin ATGM system – a 'fire-and-forget' missile with 2.5 km range, soft launch, and top-attack mode.

2.Deal is under US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process; cost and number of missiles not disclosed.

3.Javelin battle-tested in Ukraine (10,000+ missiles supplied) and used by 18 partner nations.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for the US Javelin anti-tank guided missile system under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. The fire-and-forget missile, with a range of 2.5 km and top-attack capability, is a proven battlefield asset, notably used by Ukraine to counter Russian tanks. This deal strengthens US-India defence ties and opens co-production possibilities.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Standard Effective Range2.5 km
Total System Weight22 kg (missile 8.4 kg)
Year Entered Service1996
ManufacturersJavelin Joint Venture (Raytheon & Lockheed Martin)
Firing ModesDirect attack & Top attack (150 m altitude)
Ukraine SupplyOver 10,000 missiles (as of Sep 2024)
Partner Nations18 (including Ukraine, France, Qatar, Turkey, UAE)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Standard Effective Range: 2.5 km
  • ›Total System Weight: 22 kg (missile 8.4 kg)
  • ›Target this Data: Javelin standard effective range = 2.5 km; total system weight = 22 kg; entered service in 1996.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Javelin Joint Venture (Raytheon & Lockheed Martin); US Embassy in India; Indian Army.
  • ›Target this Process: Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) under Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which entity manufactures the Javelin missile system?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Javelin missile system:

1. The Javelin uses a soft launch mechanism that allows firing from confined spaces.

2. The top-attack mode flies the missile to an altitude of 200 meters before diving.

3. The missile is effective against both armored vehicles and bunkers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the standard effective range of the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary tactical advantage of the Javelin's 'fire-and-forget' capability?

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