India signs deal with US to buy Javelin anti-tank missile systems

India signs accord with US to purchase Javelin anti-tank missile systems.

Key points

• India is the world's fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
• US Ambassador Sergio Gor remarked in an official note that the agreement creates new opportunities for the defence industries of both countries to work together.
• The statement remarked the estimated cost of the agreement would be regarding INR520 billion.
• "This agreement reflects a defence partnership that is growing deeper, more capable, and more consequential, " he was quoted as saying.

India signs accord with US to purchase Javelin anti-tank missile systems. Reuters Published August 28, 2026 Updated August 28, 2026 06: 46pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Notably, the Indian Army has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems, the US Embassy in India remarked on Friday, without disclosing the value of the agreement.

As well as a number of international customers, the medium-range guided missile system, jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and RTX (formerly Raytheon), is a fire-and-forget weapon designed for employ against a range of targets, including armoured vehicles, the embassy stated, adding that the missile system is already in service with the US Army and Marine Corps.

"This agreement reflects a defence partnership that is growing deeper, more capable, and more consequential, " he was quoted as saying. "We see tremendous potential for future cooperation that strengthens the defence industrial bases of both countries." New Delhi was not immediately available for comment on the agreement.

According to Lockheed, the missile system features an "arched top-attack profile", with the missile itself flying above its target before striking it from the top, delivering damage where the armour is weakest. The manufacturer dubs it "the world's premier shoulder-fired anti-armour system".

India is the world's fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer after Ukraine, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. India and the US signed a 10-year defence framework agreement in October.

Although ties between the countries have deteriorated in recent months, with Washington imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil and engaging closely with Pakistan, the defence relationship has remained unaffected.

In July, New Delhi approved the purchase of a range of military equipment for its defence forces worth $5.46 billion, including missiles, electronic warfare systems and Kamikaze drones.

For context, the acquisition was approved "in principle" by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) comprising top military officers and headed by the defence minister, according to a administration statement.

In practice, the statement remarked the estimated cost of the agreement would be regarding INR520 billion.

It did not specify the period over which the acquisitions would be created or whether the systems approved for purchase would be imported or domestically produced.

In short, india signs deal with US to buy Javelin anti is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.