Tata and Javelin Joint Venture Sign Pact for Anti-Tank Missile Co-Production in India

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) — a partnership between Raytheon, an RTX business, and Lockheed Martin — have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) missile in India.

The agreement comes days after the Indian Army signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the United States for the procurement of the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system through the Foreign Military Sales route under emergency procurement powers.

Under the industry MoU, TASL and JJV will examine the feasibility of establishing a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR in India, along with capabilities for manufacturing components domestically. According to a joint statement from the companies, TASL was selected by JJV as its prime partner for future in-country co-production efforts following an evaluation of multiple Indian companies based on their capabilities and expertise.

The proposed arrangement envisages sub-assembly kits being produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, Alabama, and Guidance Electronics Units at Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Arizona. These will then be shipped to India for final assembly and integration.

The agreement marks a step towards establishing a domestic industrial ecosystem around the Javelin system. It is expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, create high-technology employment, and support the resilience of global supply chains amid growing worldwide demand for the weapon system.

The companies said the initiative would also support the development of a skilled defence workforce in India while sustaining jobs in the U.S. supply chain through multi-year production of sub-assembly kits and critical electronic components.

“Partnering with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to establish a dedicated Javelin final assembly and integration facility in India is a pivotal step in ensuring a resilient supply chain for this critical anti-tank weapon system,” said Rich Liccion, vice-president of the Javelin Joint Venture and Programme Director at Lockheed Martin Javelin.

Jenna Hunt Frazier, president of the JJV and Javelin programme director at Raytheon, said the agreement established a foundation for strengthening the global supply chain for Javelin and would support faster fielding and sustained readiness for partner nations.

Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director of TASL, said the initiative would bring critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India’s defence industrial ecosystem. “Local assembly of the Javelin All Up Round will enhance operational readiness and ensure timely access to proven, combat-ready capability for the Indian Armed Forces,” he said.

The Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system jointly developed and produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It is designed to destroy main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles, providing infantry units with a precision strike capability.

The proposed co-production arrangement represents an expansion of India-U.S. defence industrial cooperation, particularly as India seeks greater domestic manufacturing and technology partnerships alongside urgent capability acquisitions. The MoU lays the groundwork for potential transfer of critical assembly know-how, which could have long-term implications for India’s defence ecosystem.

This development also aligns with India’s broader policy of encouraging foreign original equipment manufacturers to set up local production lines, a move aimed at reducing dependence on imports and building self-reliance in defence production. The agreement is a concrete example of the growing strategic partnership between India and the United States in the defence sector.

While the MoU is not a binding production contract, it signals intent and sets the stage for detailed negotiations. The eventual scale of production, technology transfer, and cost-sharing will be determined in subsequent agreements between the two sides.