US approves the sale of Javelin anti-tank systems and Excalibur projectiles to India for $93 million

India makes its first foreign military acquisition since the tariff issue, as the US accepts the sale of Excalibur and Javelin.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said Wednesday that the US State Department has authorized the sale of the Excalibur guided artillery munitions and the Javelin anti-tank missile system to India for a total of ninety-three million dollars.

Since relations soured in August after President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on Indian imports to 50% in reaction to New Delhi’s ongoing purchases of Russian energy, the deal represents India’s first buy of US defense equipment under Washington’s foreign military sales program.

The decision comes after India reordered General Electric fighter jet engines this month to power more Tejas combat aircraft constructed in the nation.

According to a statement from the DSCA, “this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defense partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo Pacific and South Asia regions.”

The agency said that India has asked for 100 Javelins and up to 216 Excalibur tactical missiles. India’s M 777 Howitzer cannons are already equipped with Excalibur artillery ammo.

According to the DSCA, RTX Corp. for the Excalibur projectiles and its joint venture with Lockheed Martin for the Javelin systems will be the main contractors for the sales.