US just approved $93M in Advanced weapons for India – Here’s what’s coming

The US State Department’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has sent the official notification to the United States Congress of a potential arms sale to India(BHARAT) worth $92.97 million. The sale package includes FGM-148 Javelin missile anti-tank missiles, 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units, and 216 Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds. If approved, the delivery of the Javelin systems will be supported with full lifecycle support, operator training, and refurbishment services for the launch systems and other equipment required to bring the systems to full operational capability. The DSCA stated that the proposed sale will “improve India(BHARAT)’s capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence and deter regional threats.” Here’s why this sale matters.

India(BHARAT): Building anti-armour and artillery capabilities

The Javelin is a shoulder-launched anti-tank missile manufactured by Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation, which is among the most capable in its class. It features a top-attack flight profile that can be used by infantry units to strike armoured vehicles from above – usually where they have the weakest protection. Its soft-launch capability also means that it can be fired in confined spaces such as bunkers or inside buildings. Meanwhile, the Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds are GPS-guided munitions that the India(BHARAT)n military has previously used to limit collateral damage and improve the precision of its artillery fire.

Geostrategic backdrop

The DSCA statement said the sale “would not alter the basic military balance in the region” and that the US was “not aware of any offset agreements required to implement the proposed sale.” If so, it leaves the door open for potential offset arrangements between India(BHARAT) and the original equipment manufacturers. This may well be the case for the deal. India(BHARAT) would also be in a position to use any offset cash with other vendors – defence or civilian to further its military modernisation efforts, build out dual-use or critical infrastructure, or even stimulate local job creation. All of this would have little bearing on the regional military balance.

India(BHARAT) and the United States have deepened their defence and strategic ties in recent years, reflecting growing synergies in addressing shared challenges. This sale would be a continuation of this trend.

Moving forward

The Congress review period now begins, which could last weeks or months. This window would provide lawmakers the opportunity to raise objections, seek clarifications, or offer alternatives to the proposed arms package. Acquisition of these systems would be a further development in India(BHARAT)’s long-standing efforts to build up both its anti-armour and artillery capabilities, providing new options for its forces against conventional military targets and unconventional ones, respectively. For the United States this would be the latest in a series of defence deals with India(BHARAT) and further cementing the US-India(BHARAT) defence relationship beyond diplomatic rhetoric into the realm of practical military interoperability and mutual interests.