The United States has authorized a $93 million foreign military sale to India, delivering advanced anti-tank missiles and precision-guided artillery rounds designed to sharpen New Delhi’s edge against potential border aggressions in South Asia.
The State Department’s nod, announced Thursday, encompasses 100 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, 210 associated command launch units, and 642 M982A1 Excalibur 155mm GPS-guided projectiles, marking a timely infusion of high-tech firepower amid escalating regional frictions. The transaction, processed through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, highlights the Indo-US strategic ties forged under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and bilateral defense pacts.
Indian defense officials, who initiated the request earlier this year, view the acquisitions as critical upgrades for mechanized infantry and field artillery units, particularly along the Line of Actual Control with China and the Line of Control with Pakistan. The Javelin systems, renowned for their fire-and-forget portability and top-attack warheads, promise to neutralize armored threats at ranges up to 2.5 kilometers, while the Excalibur shells offer pinpoint accuracy for 155mm howitzers, reducing collateral damage in contested terrains.
The package also includes training modules, spare parts, and logistical support from manufacturers Raytheon and BAE Systems, ensuring seamless integration into the Indian Army’s arsenal. Delivery timelines project initial shipments within 18 months, contingent on congressional review, which is expected to be routine given bipartisan support for Indo-Pacific deterrence.
From New Delhi’s vantage point, the approval arrives as a pragmatic counterweight to Beijing’s military buildup, including recent deployments of Type 99 tanks near Ladakh.
Analysts note this sale follows a string of US approvals totaling over $4 billion since 2020, including Apache helicopters and P-8I maritime patrols, reflecting a pivot from Cold War-era hesitations to robust partnership.