The Javelin missile will now be co-produced in India after Tata Advanced Systems signed an MoU with the Javelin Joint Venture of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. This note covers the Javelin missile deal and India’s own anti-tank guided missiles for prelims.
Why in News?
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) – a partnership of US firms Raytheon (RTX) and Lockheed Martin – signed a memorandum of understanding for co-production of Javelin missiles in India.
The move deepens India–US defence industrial cooperation and supports Make in India in guided munitions.
Javelin missile: Key Facts for Prelims
- FGM-148 Javelin: US-made, man-portable, shoulder-fired, medium-range, third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
- Fire-and-forget with an imaging infrared seeker; uses top-attack mode to hit tanks at their weakest (roof) armour; range about 2.5 km (extended to ~4 km in newer versions).
- Produced by the Javelin Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon; India has used it in limited numbers via US Foreign Military Sales.
- Third-generation ATGM = fire-and-forget guidance; second-generation = SACLOS (wire/radio-guided, operator keeps sight on target).
India’s Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (interconnected concept)
- Nag: indigenous third-generation fire-and-forget ATGM by DRDO; land version fired from the NAMICA carrier (BMP-2 based).
- Helina / Dhruvastra: helicopter-launched Nag, integrated on the ALH Dhruv/Rudra and LCH Prachand.
- MPATGM: Man-Portable ATGM for infantry, DRDO-developed, ~2.5 km range – India’s Javelin equivalent.
- SANT: stand-off anti-tank missile (air-launched, ~10 km).
- Laser-guided ATGM: fired from the 120 mm gun of the Arjun main battle tank.
- Imported ATGMs in service: Spike (Israel), Milan-2T (France, licence-built by BDL), Konkurs (Russia).
Quick Revision Table: Javelin missile
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Missile | FGM-148 Javelin |
| Type | Man-portable 3rd-gen ATGM, fire-and-forget |
| Makers | Lockheed Martin + Raytheon (Javelin JV) |
| Indian partner | Tata Advanced Systems Ltd |
| Indian equivalent | MPATGM (DRDO) |
| Helicopter-launched Indian ATGM | Helina / Dhruvastra |
| Tank-launched Indian ATGM | Laser-guided ATGM from Arjun |
Trap / Confusing Points: Javelin missile
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| Javelin is an anti-aircraft missile | No – anti-tank; the British ‘Javelin’ MANPADS is a different, older system |
| Nag is helicopter-launched | Nag is ground-launched (NAMICA); Helina is the helicopter version |
| Deal is a government-to-government purchase | No – an industry MoU for co-production (TASL–JJV) |
| Third-generation ATGM needs operator guidance till impact | No – third-gen is fire-and-forget; SACLOS is second-gen |
5 Practice MCQs on Javelin missile
1. The Javelin anti-tank missile is jointly produced by which two companies?
a. Boeing and Northrop Grumman
b. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon
c. General Dynamics and BAE Systems
d. Thales and MBDA
Ans: B
Explanation: The Javelin Joint Venture is a Lockheed Martin–Raytheon (RTX) partnership.
2. Which Indian company signed the MoU for Javelin co-production?
a. Bharat Dynamics Limited
b. Larsen & Toubro
c. Tata Advanced Systems Limited
d. Adani Defence
Ans: C
Explanation: TASL signed with the Javelin Joint Venture.
3. ‘Helina’ is the helicopter-launched version of which missile?
a. Astra
b. Nag
c. Akash
d. BrahMos
Ans: B
Explanation: Helina (Dhruvastra) is the air-launched Nag ATGM.
4. A ‘fire-and-forget’ guidance capability is a hallmark of which generation of ATGMs?
a. First
b. Second
c. Third
d. Fourth
Ans: C
Explanation: Third-generation ATGMs lock on before launch and need no further operator input.
5. The laser-guided ATGM developed by DRDO is designed to be fired from:
a. ALH Dhruv helicopter
b. Arjun main battle tank
c. Su-30MKI aircraft
d. INS Vikrant
Ans: B
Explanation: It is fired from the 120 mm rifled gun of the Arjun MBT.
Exam tip: Revise Javelin missile together with the static links above; UPSC and APPSC prelims often frame questions from these interconnections.
To learn current affairs from exam point of view, Click here.
To know more about the Javelin co-production agreement, Click here.
