Australia to get 200 FGM-148 antitank missiles from U.S. Army stocks


On October 30, 2020, the U.S. State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Javelin missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $46 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
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U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ryan Rogers fires a Javelin missile at Fort Campbell, Jan. 30, 2019 (Picture source : U.S. Army)


The Government of Australia has requested to buy 200 Javelin FGM-148E missiles with U.S. Government technical assistance and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost is not to exceed $46 million.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is seeking to fill a short-term shortfall in its Javelin missile inventory in order to maintain the appropriate level of readiness. These missiles will be provided from U.S. Army stocks. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

The FGM-148 Javelin is a man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile fielded to replace the M47 Dragon anti-tank missile in US service. It uses automatic infrared guidance that allows the user to seek cover immediately after launch, as opposed to wire-guided systems, like the Dragon, which require the user to actively guide the weapon throughout the engagement. The Javelin's HEAT warhead is capable of defeating modern tanks by attacking them from above where their armor is thinnest (see top-attack), and is also useful against fortifications in a direct attack flight.