US approves $93m sale of Javelin missiles and excalibur artillery shells to India
The US State Department has approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missile system and Excalibur guided artillery munitions worth $93 million to India, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Wednesday.
This marks India’s first major US defence purchase under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme since bilateral tensions spiked in August, when President Donald Trump sharply increased tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in response to New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil. The approval is seen as a signal from Washington that it intends to stabilise defence ties despite ongoing economic frictions.
The sale follows India’s recent order for additional General Electric F404 engines to power its indigenously built Tejas fighter jets—part of New Delhi’s broader effort to modernise its military amid regional security challenges along its borders with China and Pakistan.
In its notification, the DSCA said the proposed sale aligns with U.S. strategic interests, noting that India remains a key partner in maintaining stability across the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. Strengthening India’s defence capabilities, it said, supports Washington’s broader security objectives in a region marked by growing military competition.
India has requested up to 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles and 100 Javelin launcher units, according to the DSCA. The Indian Army already uses Excalibur guided rounds with its M777 ultra-light howitzers, and the new procurement is expected to enhance its precision-strike ability in high-altitude and disputed border zones.
Defence analysts say the approval reflects Washington’s intent to keep India closely aligned despite disagreements over trade and energy policy, while offering New Delhi additional leverage as it seeks to counter China’s expanding military footprint across the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean.
.png "Advertisement")
