Javelin Anti Tank Missile.
Tata Javelin Joint Venture: Tata Advanced Systems Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between US defense firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, to co-produce the Javelin All Up Round missile system in India. The agreement marks a significant development in industrial defense collaboration between the United States and India, focusing on local manufacturing, supply chain integration, and regional security.
Under the terms of the memorandum, Tata Advanced Systems was selected as the prime partner following a detailed evaluation of multiple companies based on their technical capability and sector expertise. The collaboration aims to explore the establishment of a dedicated final assembly and integration facility within India, alongside local component production capabilities.
The initiative is structured to benefit both nations economically and operationally. For the United States, the arrangement sustains domestic manufacturing roles by relying on multiyear production schedules. Sub-assembly kits will be built at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, Alabama, while guidance electronics units will be manufactured at Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Arizona. These components will subsequently be shipped to India for final assembly and integration.
“Partnering with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to establish a dedicated Javelin final assembly and integration facility in India is a pivotal step in ensuring a resilient, supply chain for this critical anti-tank weapon system,” said Rich Liccion, vice president, JJV and program director, Lockheed Martin Javelin. He noted that the collaboration expands high-tech manufacturing capabilities locally while reinforcing a stable security architecture across the Indo-Pacific region, enabling partner nations to respond to emerging threats.
The project is designed to strengthen India’s defense industrial base by introducing high-tech assembly expertise, advancing local manufacturing processes, and supporting global supply chain resiliency amid rising worldwide demand. Proponents of the arrangement also point out that larger production volumes can assist the United States government in achieving economic order quantities, thereby improving affordability and creating cost-saving opportunities across programs supporting Javelin production.
“Our agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited establishes a foundation to strengthen the global supply chain for Javelin,” said Jenna Hunt Frazier, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon. She added that the arrangement supports faster fielding of the weapon system and maintains operational readiness for regional partner nations.
Strategic considerations also play a central role in the agreement. By ensuring a reliable and locally sourced supply of the Javelin weapon system, the partnership aims to enhance security and interoperability across the Indo-Pacific. This aligns with broader regional partnership objectives by facilitating faster deployment and sustained defense readiness for participating nations.
READ: India MoD Cuts Red Tape to Accelerate Defence Export
US defence contractor Lockheed Martin increased production of Javelin Anti Tank Missile due to increased demand.
“We are pleased to partner with the Javelin Joint Venture on this important next step in our long-standing relationship with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon,” said Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited. He emphasized that the initiative brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India’s defence ecosystem, supports national self-reliance, and provides the Indian Armed Forces with timely access to combat-ready capabilities.
The Javelin system itself is developed and produced jointly by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. To date, the Javelin Joint Venture has manufactured more than 55,000 missiles and over 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units. The new co-production framework in India represents a major expansion of the program’s global footprint, bridging American defense manufacturing with Indian industrial capacity to meet evolving international security requirements.
Don’t Miss: Strengthening Defence Ties: Indian Army Finalises Javelin Missile Purchase
Also Read: India Steps Up Seaplane Expansion with New SkyHop and Noemi Aerospace Partnership