The United States has formally approved a significant $93 million foreign military sale to India, clearing the transfer of advanced FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles and M982 Excalibur precision-guided artillery shells. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the certification on Wednesday, marking a pivotal step in New Delhi’s ongoing effort to modernize its infantry and artillery capabilities amid lingering tensions along its northern borders.
The approved package is split into two distinct procurements designed to enhance the Indian Army’s precision strike potential. The first component, valued at approximately $45.7 million, includes 100 Javelin missiles and 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs). The Javelin, a premier “fire-and-forget” system jointly produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, has gained global prominence for its battlefield effectiveness. It employs a unique “top-attack” trajectory to strike armored vehicles from above—where their armor is thinnest—providing Indian infantry with a lethal, man-portable deterrent against main battle tanks and fortified bunkers.
The second component, valued at $47.1 million, covers the acquisition of 216 M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided tactical projectiles. These GPS-guided 155mm rounds are specifically designed for integration with India’s existing fleet of M777 Ultra Light Howitzers. Unlike conventional artillery, which often relies on saturation fire, the Excalibur delivers first-round accuracy within two meters of the target at extended ranges of up to 50 kilometers. This capability is particularly critical for the high-altitude terrain of the Himalayas, where minimizing logistical weight and collateral damage is essential.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship,” the DSCA stated in its release. The agency emphasized that the deal would improve India’s capacity to meet “current and future threats” without altering the basic military balance in the region.
The timing of the approval underscores the deepening defense cooperation between Washington and New Delhi. As India continues to maintain a high state of readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, the induction of these systems fills immediate operational gaps. Defense analysts note that this direct purchase signals a shift in India’s procurement strategy, moving away from legacy Russian hardware toward more advanced Western systems that offer greater interoperability with U.S. forces. The Excalibur rounds, which have previously been deployed in limited numbers by the Indian Army, have reportedly proven indispensable in maximizing the effectiveness of the M777 batteries deployed in forward areas.
