America has greenlit a major arms package, approving a significant defense deal for India. Under this agreement, the path has now been cleared for India to receive 100 'Javelin' anti-tank missiles, 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units, and 216 'Excalibur' precision artillery rounds.
India-US Defence Pact: Defense cooperation between India and the United States has reached a new level. The US has approved a proposal to sell advanced weapons worth approximately $93 million (around ₹775 crore) to India. This defense package includes 100 'Javelin' anti-tank missiles, 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units, and 216 'Excalibur' precision-guided artillery rounds.
Following the US administration's approval, this proposal has now been sent to the US Congress for review. Unchallenged approval from Congress will finalize this deal, after which arms supply to India could begin soon.
What Will India Receive?
The weapons to be provided to India by the US include—
- 100 FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles
- 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (CLU)
- 216 Excalibur Precision Artillery Rounds
- Technical and logistical support related to operations, training, maintenance, and security inspections
These weapons will not only enhance the Indian Army's firepower but also strengthen its readiness to tackle future security challenges.
What Did the US Say?
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has stated that this deal will strengthen the US-India strategic partnership. The agency says that this deal will significantly enhance India's military capabilities and enable the country to—
- strengthen the security of its borders,
- deal with existing and future threats,
and maintain regional stability. The DSCA also stated that India is a reliable partner and will have no difficulty in adopting these modern weapons.
Why is the Javelin Missile Special?
The US agency clarified that this deal will not alter the military balance in South Asia. The US also stated that there is currently no offset arrangement in this arms sale. If offsets are determined in the future, they will be separately agreed upon between the Indian government and the arms manufacturers. The FGM-148 Javelin is considered one of the world's most advanced shoulder-fired anti-tank missiles. Its key features:
- Top-Attack Mode: This missile attacks the upper part of the tank—where the armor is weakest.
- Soft Launch System: It can be safely fired from inside buildings, bunkers, or enclosed spaces.
High Accuracy: In the Ukraine war, this missile played a significant role in destroying Russian T-72 and T-90 tanks, after which its lethal effectiveness became a global topic of discussion. The Excalibur is a GPS-guided precision artillery round fired from cannons. It strikes its target with extreme accuracy.
