Tata Advanced Systems locks on to Javelin missile co-production in India

Tata Advanced Systems Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, to explore co-producing the Javelin All Up Round missile in India.

The agreement positions Tata Advanced Systems as the prime partner for future in-country production after an evaluation of multiple companies based on capability and technical expertise. The partners plan to examine the creation of a dedicated final assembly and integration facility, along with component manufacturing capabilities in India.

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The proposed facility would support future production requirements and contribute to regional stability across the Indo-Pacific, according to a joint press release issued by the companies.

“This partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to establish a dedicated Javelin final assembly and integration facility in India is a pivotal step in ensuring a resilient supply chain for this critical anti-tank weapon system,” said Rich Liccion, vice president of the Javelin Joint Venture and program director for Lockheed Martin Javelin.

“This collaboration not only expands India's high-tech manufacturing capabilities but also reinforces a stronger, more stable security architecture across the Indo-Pacific region, enabling our partners around the world to respond swiftly to emerging threats,” Liccion added.

US components, Indian integration

The proposed production model would link American supply chains with Indian assembly lines. Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, Alabama, would manufacture sub-assembly kits over multiple years, while Raytheon’s Tucson, Arizona, facility would produce guidance electronics units.

The components would then be shipped to India for final assembly and integration. The companies said the arrangement would create high-tech manufacturing jobs in India while sustaining manufacturing positions in the United States.

The initiative is intended to localise final assembly, expand manufacturing expertise in India and strengthen resilience across the global Javelin supply chain amid rising international demand.

“This agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited establishes a foundation to strengthen the global supply chain for Javelin,” said Jenna Hunt Frazier, president of the Javelin Joint Venture and Javelin program director at Raytheon. “It supports faster fielding of the proven Javelin weapon system and sustained readiness for partner nations.”

Co-production would also allow the US government to achieve economic order quantities, creating measurable cost savings across programmes supporting joint venture production.

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Tata deepens defence manufacturing role

Tata officials said the partnership would support interoperability and align with broader Indo-Pacific defence cooperation objectives.

“We are pleased to partner with the Javelin Joint Venture on this important next step in our long-standing relationship with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon,” said Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

“This initiative brings critical assembly expertise and knowledge transfer into India's defence industrial ecosystem, while strengthening self-reliance. Local assembly of the Javelin All Up Round will enhance operational readiness and ensure timely access to proven, combat-ready capability for the Indian Armed Forces,” Singh added.

The Javelin weapon system is developed and manufactured by the joint venture between Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida.

The joint venture has produced more than 55,000 Javelin missiles and over 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units to date.