The United States has given the green light to two fresh defence deals with India worth a total of $92.8 million. The packages include additional Javelin anti-tank guided missiles and high-precision Excalibur artillery rounds, the US State Department announced on Thursday.
The bigger deal, valued at around $92 million, covers more Javelin missiles along with command launch units and support services. The shoulder-fired Javelin is one of the world’s best tank-killers it climbs high after launch and strikes enemy armour from the top, where protection is weakest. Indian infantry units already use hundreds of these missiles along the northern borders.
The second, smaller sale of about $800,000 adds to India’s stock of GPS-guided 155mm Excalibur projectiles. These “smart shells” can hit targets up to 40-50 km away with pinpoint accuracy often within two metres drastically reducing the number of rounds needed and the risk to civilians.
Both sales have been approved by the State Department and notified to Congress, which now has 30 days to raise any objections (rare in India-US deals). Once cleared, deliveries will begin in the coming months.
Defence analysts say the approvals underline the deepening military partnership between the world’s two largest democracies at a time when India is rapidly modernising its armed forces. The Javelin and Excalibur systems are already in service with Indian forces and have proven highly effective in training and exercises.
Sources:
- Reuters: US approves potential sale of Javelin missiles, Excalibur projectiles to India
- Defense Security Cooperation Agency (Official) – Javelin Sale to India
- Defense Security Cooperation Agency (Official) – Excalibur Projectiles to India
- The Hindu: US clears sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur artillery rounds worth $92.8 million to India
- Hindustan Times: US approves $92.8 million arms package for India including Javelin, Excalibur
- The Economic Times: US nods $93-million defence sale to India
