US Approves $93 Million Defence Sale to India

US Approves $93 Million Defence Sale to India

Why in News?

Recently, the United States approved a defence sale package worth $93 million for India, strengthening bilateral strategic cooperation. The clearance includes Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur precision artillery projectiles.

Highlights of the US Defence Sale Package to India

• The United States has approved a Foreign Military Sale to India worth approximately US $93 million. This is split into roughly US $45.7 million for the Javelin anti-tank system and US $47.1 million for the Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles.
• The deal was certified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and notified to the U.S. Congress in November 2025.
• India has requested 100 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles under this sale. In addition, the package includes one “fly-to-buy” Javelin missile, which is typically used to test system performance.
• India will also receive 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) or Block-1 CLUs, which are the launch platforms for the missile. 
• The deal includes up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds. These are GPS-guided shells, designed to hit targets very precisely even at long ranges.
• The package covers more than just the shells. It includes portable electronic fire-control systems (PEFCS) with improved integration kits, propellant charges, primers, and other ancillary equipment. 
• It also has technical assistance, maintenance support, program logistics, and access to technical data.

Javelin Missiles & Excalibur Artillery

1. Javelin Missiles

• About: The FGM-148 Javelin is a man-portable anti-tank guided missile that entered service with the United States Army in 1996. The system supports infantry units during operations that require quick deployment and reliable anti-armour capability. The missile uses a fire-and-forget mechanism that allows the soldier to launch the weapon and shift to cover immediately. The system works with a Command Launch Unit that provides day and night targeting support through thermal imaging technology.

• Features: The Javelin missile uses an infrared guidance system that locks onto a target before launch. The missile follows a high-arc flight path and attacks the target from above, where most armoured vehicles have thin protective layers. The system also supports a direct-attack mode for use against bunkers and fortified shelters. The missile has a range that generally extends beyond 2,500 metres, and newer variants aim to cross 4,000 metres during ideal conditions. The warhead uses a tandem-charge design that penetrates explosive reactive armour on modern battle tanks. The lightweight design and self-contained firing setup allow small infantry teams to operate the system without complex support equipment.

2. Excalibur Precision Artillery

• About: The M982 Excalibur is a precision-guided artillery projectile developed by the United States Army and Raytheon. The projectile entered service in 2007 after several years of development and testing. The system works with standard 155-mm artillery guns, which makes it suitable for militaries that use common NATO-calibre howitzers. The United States and allied forces used Excalibur rounds extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Features: Excalibur projectiles can reach ranges of about 40 kilometres when fired from advanced howitzers like the M777 or M109. The round uses GPS signals and aerodynamic control surfaces to correct its course during flight. This technology allows the projectile to strike within a few metres of the target even when it is fired from long distance. The warhead design supports different operational profiles including point detonation and delayed detonation. The projectile reduces collateral damage because it hits the target with high precision and avoids wide-area impact. Developers have also introduced an extended-range version that aims to cross 70 kilometres during future trials.

Significance of India-US Defence Deal

• Indo-Pacific Security: The deal strengthens Indo-Pacific security. The Indo-Pacific has seen higher military activity since 2018 as several nations expanded their naval and land capabilities. The addition of Javelin missiles and Excalibur precision artillery gives India tools that support fast and accurate operations in this strategic space. These systems also help India coordinate better with partners during maritime or joint exercises.
• India’s Military Modernisation: The deal supports India’s military modernisation process that has gained strong momentum since the launch of the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020. The Javelin system offers a fire-and-forget capability that fits India’s goal of reducing soldier exposure during anti-armour engagements. This gives Indian units the ability to strike targets at long ranges with very high accuracy.
• Balancing Regional Threats: The deal helps India to manage regional threats. The northern borders have remained sensitive since the events of 2020 when both sides increased deployments across Himalayan sectors. The Javelin missile supports effective anti-armour action in high-altitude regions where mobility is limited. This capability allows small infantry units to counter hostile armoured vehicles with precision. 
• India–US Defence Ties: The deal marks another step in the steady rise of India–US defence cooperation since the United States granted India Major Defence Partner status in 2016. The deal follows a pattern of growing interoperability between both countries through agreements like COMCASA in 2018 and BECA in 2020. The deal also increases opportunities for joint training and technical collaboration between both militaries.