New Delhi: Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), a partnership between American firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, have entered into a memorandum of understanding for the co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) in India.
An All-Up-Round refers to the complete, factory-assembled missile enclosed inside its tactical launch container.
The joint announcement by the companies comes just days after India signed a Rs 292 crore deal to procure Javelin anti-tank guided missile systems for the Army.
ThePrint had reported that this marks India’s formal entry as a customer of the famed shoulder-fired weapon, even as both countries work towards its eventual joint production in the country.
As per the announcement, Tata Advanced Systems has been selected by JJV as the prime partner for future in-country co-production efforts following an evaluation of multiple companies based on capability and expertise.
Interestingly, the JJV had signed an MoU with the state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) last year to explore opportunities for manufacturing the weapon in India.
Under the industry MOU announced Tuesday, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the JJV will explore the establishment of a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR and component production capabilities in India.
This agreement will support future production of the Javelin system while providing unique opportunities for the Indian industry to strengthen regional stability for the Indo-Pacific, the statement said.
It added that the Javelin co-production effort will be beneficial for the India and US partnership through creating, building and developing a strong defence workforce in India while also sustaining American jobs in the domestic supply chain through multiyear production of sub-assembly kits at Lockheed Martin’s Troy, Ala., facility and guidance electronics units (GEU) at Raytheon’s Tucson, Ariz., facility.
Javelin is developed and produced by the JJV between Raytheon, in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida. To date, the JJV has produced more than 55,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units.
“The sub-assembly kits and GEUs will be shipped to India for final assembly and integration,” it said.
While there is no information on how many units are planned to be developed, the statement said that “the larger volume” from co-production can help the US government achieve economic order quantities, improving affordability and creating measurable cost-saving opportunities for programs that support JJV production.
“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, JJV and program director, Lockheed Martin Javelin.
Sukaran Singh, CEO & MD, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, said, “This initiative brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India’s defence industrial ecosystem, while strengthening 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.”
(Edited by Nivedita Patil)
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At least the final assembly will be done in India. Better than nothing! India and USA are natural partners, so any co-production, co-manufacturing strengthens that relationship.