Context
- Recently Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has signed an MoU with Javelin Joint Venture (JJV)-a partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin-to explore co-producing Javelin Anti- Tank Guided missiles in India.
About the Javelin Missile System
- Type: The Javelin All Up Round is a man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system.
- Origin: Jointly produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin through the Javelin Joint Venture of the United States.
- Procurement Route: Acquired by India via Foreign Military Sales (FMS), a US government-to-government arms transfer mechanism, invoked here under emergency procurement powers.
About Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
- ATGM is a precision-guided missile designed to destroy or disable armoured targets, particularly tanks.
- It uses guidance technologies such as infrared, laser or command guidance to accurately track and hit targets.
- ATGMs can be man-portable, vehicle-mounted or helicopter-launched, making them useful across different combat situations.
- They are an important anti-armour weapon for modern infantry and mechanised forces.
- Some modern ATGMs like Javelin have fire-and-forget capability, allowing the operator to move or take cover after launch.
About Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)
- TASL, the defence and aerospace arm of the Tata Group, develops and manufactures aircraft structures, missiles, radars, unmanned systems and other advanced defence technologies.
- It partners with global defence companies for technology transfer and local manufacturing, contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat and India’s domestic defence ecosystem.
- TASL is also exploring the domestic production of Javelin ATGMs, including final assembly, integration and manufacture of selected components, for the Indian armed forces.
Why TASL Was Chosen for Co-Production
- Selection as Prime Partner: TASL was selected by the JJV as its prime partner for future in-country co-production efforts, following an evaluation of multiple Indian companies based on their capabilities and expertise.
- Scope of the MoU: The industry-level agreement covers exploring a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin in India, together with domestic manufacturing of select components.
- India already has indigenous ATGMs, but Javelin provides a proven third-generation, fire-and-forget and top-attack capability, while its proposed production in India can also strengthen domestic defence manufacturing.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Arrangement
- Component Sourcing: Sub-assembly kits are to be produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Alabama, and guidance electronics units at Raytheon’s facility in Arizona, both in the US.
- Final Assembly in India: These components will be shipped to India, where TASL will carry out final assembly and integration rather than end-to-end domestic manufacture at this stage.
Significance for India’s Defence Manufacturing
- Domestic Ecosystem & Global Supply Chains: The agreement marks a step towards establishing a domestic industrial ecosystem around the Javelin system and is expected to strengthen India’s defence manufacturing capabilities while supporting the resilience of global supply chains.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Anti -Tank Guided Missiles |
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Javelin missile system:
I. The Javelin is a man-portable anti-tank guided missile jointly produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
II. India is procuring the Javelin missile system through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.
III. Tata Advanced Systems Limited will manufacture the complete Javelin missile system indigenously without any US-sourced components.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. I and II only
b. II and III only
c. I, II and III
d. I only
Answer: a. I and II only
Explanation
Statement I is Correct: The Javelin All Up Round is a man-portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile produced by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
Statement II is Correct: The Indian Army signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the United States for the Javelin system through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, invoked under emergency procurement powers.
Statement III is Incorrect: Under the MoU, sub-assembly kits from Lockheed Martin's Alabama facility and guidance electronics from Raytheon's Arizona facility will be shipped to India for final assembly and integration; TASL will manufacture only select components domestically, not the complete system independent of US-sourced parts.
