IRIA News

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The United States has approved two arms sales to India worth $93 million on November 20, 2025. The sales include Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur precision artillery projectiles.

The move comes nine months after India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where both leaders committed to “advance defense ties.” A framework agreement to expand defense cooperation over the next decade was signed in October as part of that effort.

The approval for missile sales marks a major step in India’s shift toward diversifying its defense procurement. While Russia remains India’s largest supplier of military equipment, its share has fallen from 62% to 34% between 2017 and 2023.

Over the same period, India’s defense trade with the United States has risen from near zero to $20 billion, making Washington India’s third-largest supplier after Russia and France.

Javelin Missile Package

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), a $45.7 million sale of the Javelin Missile System has been cleared. The package includes 100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds, one “fly-to-buy” missile, and 25 lightweight command launch units. It also covers simulation rounds, trainers, spare parts, technical assistance, and logistical support.

The DSCA said the weapons would “improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats.” It added that India would have “no difficulty absorbing” the equipment into its armed forces.

In its notification to Congress, the agency said the proposed sale would “support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States” and strengthen its strategic partnership with New Delhi, describing India as “an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress” in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.

Excalibur Artillery Rounds

In a separate notification, Washington approved a $47.1 million package for up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. The sale includes fire-control components, primers, propellant charges, technical data, repair services, and supporting elements for full operational capability.

The DSCA said the transfer would enhance India’s ability to counter both current and emerging threats. “The proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats,” the statement said.

The agency added that the transaction would not alter the basic military balance in the region. It also noted that there were no known offset agreements linked to the sale at this stage, although such arrangements could be discussed later between India and the manufacturers.

US-India Defense Ties Amid Trade Tensions

The approval of the sale comes as both countries attempt to manage broader trade tensions. The Trump administration has imposed a 50% tariff on a range of Indian products, including a 25% penalty related to India’s purchase of Russian oil and arms. Despite these disputes, officials on both sides have signaled an interest in moving toward a trade deal.

The renewed defense cooperation also aligns with Washington’s stated position that India’s expanding military capabilities are beneficial to regional stability. The DSCA said the approved systems would help India integrate modern precision-strike technology into its existing force structure.

Capabilities of the Javelin and Excalibur Systems

The Javelin, produced jointly by RTX and Lockheed Martin, is a highly mobile, fire-and-forget anti-tank system used by multiple militaries worldwide. It has gained prominence on recent battlefields, most notably in Ukraine, where it has been used effectively against Russian T-72 and T-90 tanks.

The weapon’s top-attack mode is designed to strike armored vehicles from above, where armour plating is weakest. Its soft-launch mechanism enables troops to fire from enclosed positions such as bunkers or buildings.

Excalibur rounds give artillery units GPS-guided precision, enhancing accuracy while reducing collateral damage. India has previously employed Excalibur systems for targeted strikes in high-sensitivity operational environments along its borders.

The U.S. Congress will now review the proposed sale and has the authority to raise objections during the notification period. If no objections are filed, the transfer will proceed, and the systems will be delivered according to the agreed schedules.

The State Department said India remains a key strategic partner and that the approved systems will contribute to strengthening regional security as both nations continue to expand defence cooperation.