The US State Department has approved two potential sales with a combined approximate total of $92.8 million worth of Javelin and Excalibur munitions, along with related equipment, to India.
The first deal, costing $45.7 million, covers a request for one fly-to-buy Javelin FGM-148 missile, 100 Javelin rounds, and 25 Javelin lightweight command launch units (CLU) or Javelin Block 1 CLUs, as well as CLU basic skills trainers, missile simulation rounds, a battery coolant unit, and related service and support.
Meanwhile, the other sale valued at $47.1 million comprises up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles; ancillary items; portable electronic fire control systems with improved platform integration kit primers; propellant charges; and related service and support.
Both possible foreign military sales are intended to boost New Delhi’s defense capabilities and strengthen US-Indian strategic relations, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
Javelin Missile
The man-portable Javelin anti-tank missile system gives dismounted troops a reliable fire-and-forget capability against armored threats, striking targets at ranges from 65 meters (213 feet) to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
Developed by the RTX Corporation/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture, it features a CLU that enables the gunner to see targets even in poor visibility before launching the missile against various targets, including armored vehicles and bunkers.
According to RTX, it can also be fired from a remote launcher mounted on an uncrewed ground vehicle.
Excalibur Artillery Round
While the Javelin is used by small infantry teams to engage armored targets at short ranges, the Excalibur is a GPS/INS-guided 155 mm precision artillery projectile fired from howitzers for long-range strikes against strategic targets.
It combines a high-explosive warhead with a reported accuracy of within 2 meters (6.5 feet) CEP at long range.
