Tata Advanced Systems and Javelin Joint Venture have signed an agreement to co-produce anti-tank missiles in India

The Javelin is a fire-and-forget man-portable anti-tank guided missile system jointly developed and manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Photo credit: lockheedmartin.com

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) – a partnership between Raytheon, RTX, and Lockheed Martin – have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) missile in India.

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The deal comes days after the Indian military signed an offer and acceptance letter with the United States to acquire the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system through foreign military sales under emergency procurement.

According to a joint statement released by the companies, under the MoU, TASL and JJV will explore setting up a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR in India, along with options to manufacture components domestically.

TASL was selected by JJV as its lead partner for future co-production efforts in the country after evaluating several Indian companies based on their capabilities and expertise.

Sub-Assembly Kits

The proposed arrangement calls for the production of subassemblies at the Lockheed Martin plant in Troy, Alabama, and the Guidance Electronics Units at the Raytheon plant in Tucson, Arizona. These will then be shipped to India for final assembly and integration.

The agreement represents a significant step towards creating a domestic industrial ecosystem around the Javelin system and is expected to strengthen India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, create high-tech employment and boost the resilience of global supply chains amid growing global demand for the weapon system.

The companies said the initiative will also support the development of a skilled defense workforce in India while maintaining jobs in the US supply chain through multi-year production of sub-assemblies and critical electronic components.

“Key Step”

“Partnering with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to create a dedicated Javelin final assembly and integration facility in India is a key step in ensuring a resilient supply chain for this critical anti-tank weapon system,” said Rich Liccione, Javelin Joint Venture Vice President and Lockheed Martin Javelin Program Director.

Jenna Hunt Frazier, JJV president and director of the Javelin program at Raytheon, said the agreement created the foundation to strengthen the global supply chain for Javelin and will support faster deployment and sustained readiness for partner nations.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL, said the initiative will bring critical expertise and knowledge transfer to India’s defense industrial ecosystem.

“Local assembly of the Javelin All Up Round will enhance operational readiness and ensure timely access to proven combat capabilities for the Indian Armed Forces,” he said.

The Javelin is a fire-and-forget man-portable anti-tank guided missile system jointly developed and manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

The proposed co-production arrangement could represent an important expansion of Indo-US defense industrial cooperation, especially as New Delhi seeks greater domestic manufacturing and technology partnerships along with urgent post-Operation Sindoor capability acquisitions.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 21:25 IST