More Javelin Missiles Heading Down Under

The Australian government has struck a deal to buy up to 350 more anti-tank missiles at a projected cost of about $100 million.

The sale of the Javelin FGM-148F missiles, developed in a joint venture between RTX and Lockheed Martin, was revealed in a press statement from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) this week.

Monday's statement noted: "Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

"The proposed sale will improve the Australian Army’s capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining and increasing its anti-armor capability."

Continuously upgraded since their first introduction in 1996, the FGM-148 missiles are portable anti-tank fire-and-forget weapons guided via an infrared targeting system. The projectiles adopt a top-down attack method, hitting targets where their armour is thinnest, and employing a dual-detonation tandem charge warhead to counter any explosive reactive armour (ERA) systems deployed.

As per a Lockheed Martin press statement, by the middle of 2021 some 50,000 missiles had been sold and delivered to customers.

You can read the full details of the procurement on the DSCA website