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US Approves Javelin Missile Sale to Ireland to Enhance Mobile Strike Capabilities Against Armored and Fortified Targets.
On April 23, 2025, the United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that the U.S. Department of State had approved a potential sale of military equipment to Ireland, covering FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles and Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU). This official notification, submitted to the U.S. Congress, reflects the continuity of bilateral security relations and aims to enhance Ireland’s defense capabilities while supporting its increasing involvement in international peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and the NATO Partnership for Peace program.
The strategic goal of the sale is to support Ireland’s long-term national defense capacity by providing durable technological capabilities and enhancing its ability to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Picture source: US DoD)
Ireland’s request specifically concerns the acquisition of thirty-six Lightweight Command Launch Units, which will supplement an existing contract already in implementation. That earlier agreement, valued at $8.7 million—including $7.9 million in Major Defense Equipment (MDE)—included forty-four Javelin missiles but remained below the threshold for congressional notification. The current announcement covers a consolidated total of forty-four FGM-148 Javelin missiles and thirty-six LwCLUs, along with associated logistics and support elements.
The FGM-148 Javelin, jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin through the Javelin Joint Venture, is an infrared-guided “fire-and-forget” anti-tank missile, designed to autonomously track its target after launch. Compact, portable, and designed for single-operator use, it can be deployed from confined spaces due to its low-signature “soft-launch” capability, which reduces gunner exposure during firing. The missile is equipped with a tandem shaped charge warhead capable of penetrating 600 to 800 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA), including reactive armor. It is designed to engage the upper section of armored vehicles—their most vulnerable point—by climbing to an altitude of 100 to 200 meters before diving at a 45-degree angle. Its operational range varies between 2,500 and 4,750 meters, depending on the launch platform.
The Javelin’s Command Launch Unit weighs 6.4 kg and features a 4x magnification day sight and a thermal imaging system with 4x and 9x magnification. This combination enables passive target acquisition both day and night, even in degraded conditions such as smoke or other battlefield obscurants. The long-wave infrared seeker allows the missile to engage a wide variety of targets, including main battle tanks, bunkers, fortified structures, small boats, and slow-moving helicopters. The Javelin system can also be integrated into various platforms, including tripods, light armored vehicles, and remotely operated weapon stations. Its adaptability has made it a commonly used system in modern armed forces. The missile has been operationally deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq and is currently in service with more than twenty countries, including France, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, Ukraine, and Australia.
In addition to the missiles and launchers, the approved sale includes missile containers, technical support from the U.S. government, Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers (EPBST), training sessions, and other logistical and program support services. The total estimated value of the transaction is $46 million, although the final amount may vary depending on operational needs, budget allocations, and the conclusion of formal sales agreements.
The strategic goal of the sale is to support Ireland’s long-term national defense capacity by providing durable technological capabilities and enhancing its ability to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deal also aims to improve Ireland’s interoperability in joint operations with international partners. According to U.S. authorities, the Irish Armed Forces are fully capable of integrating this equipment, aided by training and support measures included in the agreement.
The Javelin system is produced by Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, and RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies) in Tucson, Arizona. No offset agreements have been disclosed at this stage, though such arrangements may be addressed during bilateral negotiations. The implementation of the sale will not require the deployment of additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to Ireland.
DSCA officials have clarified that the sale will not affect the operational readiness of U.S. forces and will not alter the regional military balance. This transaction illustrates the stability of security cooperation between Washington and Dublin at a time when the United States continues to support capacity-building among partner nations while ensuring controlled transfers of sensitive technologies.
The proposed sale reaffirms the role of the Javelin missile as a core element of contemporary arsenals. With an estimated value of $46 million, Ireland would acquire a proven and flexible system compatible with its international commitments and national defense requirements, in a geopolitical context where anti-armor capabilities play an increasingly critical role.