US Ambassador Hails Javelin Co-Production Plan as Major Step in India-US Defense Ties
New Delhi — U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday hailed a planned collaboration involving Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Tata Advanced Systems Limited to co-produce Javelin missiles in India, calling it a major step forward in the U.S.-India defense partnership.
Gor said the initiative would create opportunities for U.S. companies while expanding India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
“A major step forward for the U.S.-India defense partnership. This collaboration between Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Tata Advanced Systems Limited will create new opportunities for U.S. companies, strengthen America’s defense-industrial base, and boost India’s manufacturing capabilities,” Gor wrote on X.
Tata Advanced Systems and the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon, an RTX business, and Lockheed Martin, have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co-production of the Javelin All Up Round in India, according to Lockheed Martin.
The Javelin All Up Round is the complete missile round used with the shoulder-fired Javelin anti-armor weapon system.
Tata Advanced Systems was selected as the Javelin Joint Venture’s primary Indian partner for potential domestic production following an evaluation of several companies based on their capabilities and expertise, Lockheed Martin said.
Under the agreement, the companies will explore establishing a facility in India to conduct final assembly and integration of Javelin rounds and potentially manufacture some components.
Lockheed Martin said the arrangement could support future Javelin production while expanding opportunities for India’s defense industry and contributing to security in the Indo-Pacific.
The companies said production would also continue to support U.S. jobs. Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, Alabama, would produce subassembly kits, while Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Arizona, would manufacture guidance electronics units. Those components would then be shipped to India for final assembly and integration.
“The Javelin co-production effort will be beneficial for the India and U.S. partnership through creating, building and developing a strong defense workforce in India while sustaining American jobs in the domestic supply chain,” Lockheed Martin said.
The announcement comes as Washington and New Delhi continue efforts to deepen their defense and strategic cooperation.
Last month, Gor met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi to discuss bilateral strategic cooperation.
“Had a fruitful meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss deepening US-India strategic cooperation. Our close partnership with India is vital to addressing global security challenges,” Gor wrote following the meeting. “The United States and India share many of the same goals and our engagement continues to grow.” (Source: IANS)
