New Delhi (TDI): The United States has given the green light for India to purchase Javelin anti-tank missile launchers and Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds in a deal valued at roughly $93 million, according to a statement issued by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday.
This marks India’s first acquisition through Washington’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program since relations dipped in August, when President Donald Trump raised tariffs on several Indian exports to 50% in response to New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude. The approval also comes shortly after India placed another order for General Electric engines to support the expansion of its indigenous Tejas fighter jet fleet.
The DSCA noted that the package is expected to strengthen defense ties between the two countries and reinforce broader US objectives in the Indo-Pacific. “The proposed sale aligns with US foreign policy and national security goals by bolstering the capabilities of a key strategic partner that plays an important role in maintaining stability and economic progress in the region,” the agency said.
Under the request submitted by New Delhi, India aims to acquire up to 216 Excalibur tactical rounds and 100 Javelin systems. The Indian Army already fields Excalibur ammunition for its M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer units.
Read More: India, US Defense Partnership and What It Means for South Asia
RTX Corp (formerly Raytheon Technologies) will serve as the principal contractor for the Excalibur munitions, while the Javelin systems will be produced through its joint venture with Lockheed Martin.
The approval reflects Washington’s continued effort to keep India closely aligned with Western defense networks, even as New Delhi maintains a diversified procurement strategy that includes Russia, Europe, and domestic manufacturers. The relatively modest size of the deal is viewed as symbolic but strategically significant, signalling that both sides are moving past the recent tariff-related tensions.
Read More: Implications of India, US Defense Framework Renewal on Regional Stability
For India, the acquisition is part of a wider push to modernize its artillery and infantry capabilities in response to evolving security challenges along the borders with Pakistan and China. Precision-guided munitions like the Excalibur are seen as force multipliers, allowing the Indian military to carry out more accurate strikes with reduced collateral damage, an increasingly important factor in modern battlefield scenarios.
