Tata Advanced Systems, Javelin Joint Venture sign pact for missile co-production in India
New Delhi, Aug 31 (TNT): Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, 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 co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) in India.
Under the agreement, TASL has been selected as JJV’s prime Indian partner for future in-country co-production efforts following an evaluation of multiple companies based on their capabilities and expertise.
The two sides will explore setting up a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR, along with component production capabilities in India.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s defence industrial base by expanding high-technology manufacturing capabilities, creating skilled jobs and facilitating knowledge transfer and local expertise.
The co-production arrangement is also expected to strengthen the India-US defence partnership and contribute to supply-chain resilience amid growing global demand for the Javelin system.
Under the proposed arrangement, sub-assembly kits produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, Alabama, and guidance electronics units manufactured at Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Arizona, would be shipped to India for final assembly and integration.
In a release, the companies said increased production volumes could also help achieve economic order quantities, potentially improving affordability and creating cost-saving opportunities for Javelin programmes.
Rich Liccion, vice-president, JJV, and Javelin programme director at Lockheed Martin, said the proposed facility in India would strengthen the supply chain for the anti-tank weapon system while expanding India’s high-tech manufacturing capabilities.
JJV President and Javelin programme director at Raytheon Jenna Hunt Frazier said the agreement would help strengthen the global Javelin supply chain, enabling faster fielding and sustained readiness for partner nations.
TASL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Sukaran Singh said the initiative would bring critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India’s defence industrial ecosystem and strengthen self-reliance.
“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 developed and produced by the JJV, comprising Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The venture has so far produced more than 55,000 Javelin missiles and over 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units.
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