U.S. Clears $93 Million Defence Sale to India, Including Javelin Systems and Excalibur Munitions
New Delhi – The United States has formally approved a major defence sale to India, authorising the transfer of Javelin anti-tank missile systems and Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles worth $93 million.
The announcement marks a significant moment in the defence partnership between the two countries, particularly following recent trade tensions.
According to the approval, the sale includes advanced tactical capabilities that India had requested to strengthen the operational effectiveness of its armed forces.
The package features up to 216 Excalibur projectiles and 100 units of the Javelin system, both of which are used for high-accuracy strikes in complex battlefield environments.
The Excalibur guided artillery round is already familiar to India, as it is deployed with the M-777 lightweight Howitzer guns used by the Indian Army.
The Javelin system, known for its fire-and-forget technology, provides mobile infantry forces with strong anti-armour capabilities designed for modern combat.
This approval is the first foreign military sale to India since relations were strained earlier this year.
Ties deteriorated after the U.S. increased tariffs on several Indian goods, a move tied to disagreements over India’s energy imports.
Despite that period of tension, defence cooperation between the two nations has remained a stable and strategic pillar of the relationship.
The recent sale of additional fighter jet engines from an American manufacturer further demonstrated ongoing collaboration in key sectors.
The U.S. has stated that the newly approved sale aligns with its broader foreign policy aims in the Indo-Pacific region.
Officials emphasised that strengthening India’s defence capabilities contributes to stability, economic progress and collective security across South Asia.
India is considered a major defence partner of the United States, and both countries frequently highlight their shared interests in regional safety and deterrence.
The approval fits into a larger pattern of enhanced joint exercises, technology sharing and defence industrial cooperation.
The equipment will be supplied by major American defence manufacturers. RTX will provide the Excalibur artillery rounds, while the Javelin units will come from a joint venture between RTX and Lockheed Martin.
These companies have longstanding involvement in supplying technology to India’s defence forces, contributing to initiatives that support interoperability and modernisation. The latest sale further expands that cooperation at a time when India continues to diversify its defence procurement sources.
For India, precision-guided systems such as Excalibur add significant accuracy and range to existing artillery resources. The Javelin’s portability and effectiveness against armoured vehicles make it a reliable battlefield asset for varied terrains and tactical scenarios.
Defence analysts say the new acquisitions reflect India’s ongoing attempt to blend imported technology with its expanding domestic defence production.
The combination of foreign procurement and local manufacturing is part of a strategic plan to improve readiness while supporting indigenous industry.
The approval also reinforces the broader diplomatic framework linking the two democracies, as defence ties often continue even when trade issues arise. Officials in both capitals view military cooperation as essential to maintaining balance and strengthening regional partnerships.
India is expected to move forward with procurement procedures once internal approvals are completed. The delivery timeline and integration details will be determined after both sides finalise contractual steps.
The sale is part of a wider trend of growing defence engagement between the world’s largest democracies.
As regional dynamics evolve, both countries appear committed to expanding their security cooperation through advanced systems, joint readiness efforts and long-term strategic planning.
