Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, two prominent American defense contractors, have announced a landmark $1.3 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to produce Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Largest Order in History
This contract marks the largest single order in history for this type of ammunition, which gained significant recognition during the early stages of the Ukraine conflict, according to WP.
While the exact number of missiles and launchers ordered remains undisclosed, the deal underscores the increasing demand for Javelins amid ongoing military tensions.
The current agreement is an extension of a contract established in May 2023, where the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, began expanding production capabilities.
This initiative responds to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need to replenish U.S. stocks of these critical anti-tank weapons. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. provided Ukraine with weaponry from its own reserves, which now require replenishment.
Fire-And-Forget Capability
With the new production capabilities, the Javelin Joint Venture aims to manufacture up to 3,960 Javelin missiles annually by the end of 2026.
The United States has supplied Ukraine with at least 4,000 Javelins, known for their effectiveness against Russian armored vehicles. Beyond anti-tank applications, these missiles are versatile on the battlefield, capable of targeting infantry positions, bunkers, machine gun nests, and buildings.
Javelins have been ordered by over 25 countries worldwide, with more than 50,000 missiles and 12,000 reusable launchers produced to date.
The success of Javelins in Ukraine has sparked increased interest from other nations, leading to orders from Albania, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Morocco, Thailand, and Brazil. Poland, which first ordered Javelins in 2021, signed a licensing agreement for local production in late 2023.
The Javelin missile system, developed in the 1990s, comprises a Command Launch Unit (CLU) and a missile equipped with advanced targeting technology. It features a "fire-and-forget" capability, allowing operators to engage targets without needing to guide the missile after launch.
With a range of up to four kilometers and the ability to penetrate modern tank armor, the Javelin continues to be a vital asset for U.S. and allied forces.
