United States India could start the co-development of new version Javelin anti-tank missile 2209132

Defence & Security News - India / United States

Carter, speaking at a news conference in India, said the two countries were already expanding military relations through exercises and increased trade in weapons. But he said it was time to unleash what he called the "enormous untapped potential between our private sectors in the defense field."

The Pentagon's No. 2 official said the United States was trying to remove bureaucratic hurdles impeding technology transfer between the two countries, and was giving priority funding to researchers working with Indian partners in key areas of science and technology.

The Obama administration, mindful of declining U.S. defense spending levels, has tried to expand partnerships with many countries, including India, on military sales, and has dramatically stepped up its advocacy for U.S. arms sales abroad.

India and the United States announced a Defense Trade and Technology Initiative, or DTI, one year ago during a visit to India by then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, a joint effort to streamline bureaucratic processes and expand defense trade.

The fire-and-forget Javelin is a one-man-portable and employable, shoulder-fired, medium-range fire-and-forget anti-armor weapon. Javelin has a maximum range of more than 2500 meters and a minimum range of less than 100 meters.

Javelin is in full production; 21,000 rounds and over 4,600 command launch units have been produced. Fire-and-forget capability allows gunners to avoid counter-fire or rapidly engage successive targets.

Javelin was developed and produced for the U.S. Army and US Marine Corps by the Javelin Joint Venture of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. It has also been sold in Europe (Lithuania, UK, Ireland, The Czech Republic and Norway), the Mid-East (Jordan and Oman), and Asia (Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan).