Javelin | An icon of modern warfare

India plans to acquire the Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system from the U.S., a move seen as a significant step in U.S.-India defense relations, opening doors for co-production. The Javelin, developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is a 'fire-and-forget' system known for its versatility and combat effectiveness, having been used in various conflicts including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. The deal involves a memorandum of understanding between Javelin Joint Venture and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) for co-production of Javelin All Up Rounds (AURs) in India, though much of the component production will remain in the U.S. This acquisition highlights India's long-standing efforts to resolve technology transfer issues and its diverse anti-tank inventory, alongside indigenous efforts by DRDO.