India has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to purchase the US-made Javelin anti-tank guided missile system, marking a fresh step in defence cooperation between the two countries. The deal has been processed through the United States’ Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The US Embassy in India confirmed the signing on Friday.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the agreement could also open the way for future defence co-production between India and the United States. In a post on X, Gor wrote, “BIG news! India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system."

Gor called the agreement “a great step forward in the US-India defence relationship" and said the development “opens the door to co-production possibilities." He added, “The engagement between our two nations is at record high levels!"

The US Embassy later confirmed that India and the US had signed the LOA. It said the milestone “reflects the enduring partnership between the US and Indian Armed Forces and opens the door for future collaboration between the US and Indian defence industries."

The agreement comes as defence ties between India and the US continue to expand. Gor said the latest development marked a significant step in the growing defence relationship between the two countries.

“This agreement reflects a defence partnership that is growing deeper, more capable, and more consequential," Gor said in the statement issued by the US Embassy.

He added that the Javelin agreement “demonstrates the depth of US support for the Indian Army and creates new opportunities for our defence industries to work together."

“We see tremendous potential for future cooperation that strengthens the defence industrial bases of both countries," Gor said.

The US Embassy said the LOA signing would allow India and the US to discuss mutually beneficial co-production opportunities. It also said the two countries could explore other areas of cooperation to strengthen their respective defence industrial bases.

The latest agreement follows the US approval in November 2025 for the proposed sale of Javelin anti-tank missile systems and Excalibur guided artillery munitions to India. Reuters reported at the time that the US State Department had approved the $93 million sale.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) had said India requested up to 100 Javelin systems and 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles. The proposed deal was also seen as significant for bilateral defence ties. It marked India’s first US defence purchase under the Foreign Military Sales programme after relations between the two countries faced strain in 2025.

The approval came after India placed a fresh order for General Electric engines for its indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft. The DSCA had said the proposed sale would strengthen the US-India strategic relationship. It would also support the security of a major US defence partner in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.

India already operates Excalibur artillery ammunition with its M777 howitzers, according to Reuters. The latest Javelin agreement adds another advanced US weapon system to India’s defence procurement plans.

The Javelin is an advanced, medium-range, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system produced by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between RTX and Lockheed Martin. The system is designed to engage different types of targets, including armoured vehicles and fortified positions.

Its fire-and-forget capability allows the missile to guide itself towards the target after launch. This means the operator does not have to continuously guide the missile. The operator can instead move away from the launch position or take cover after firing.

The Javelin also has a top-attack capability. This allows the missile to strike an armoured vehicle from above, where armour protection is generally weaker. The system can also be used in direct-attack mode against certain targets.

The US Army, US Marine Corps and several international customers use Javelin missiles. The US Embassy said the system has been deployed by numerous countries, highlighting its established role in modern anti-armour warfare.

The signing of the LOA now provides a framework for the purchase while also creating scope for wider industrial cooperation. The US has indicated that future collaboration could extend beyond the immediate sale and include co-production opportunities between Indian and American defence industries.