The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of FGM-148F Javelin manportable anti-tank missiles and related equipment, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 19 August 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 100 million (EUR 90 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Australia has requested to buy 350 Javelin FGM-148F missiles (includes four fly-to-buy missiles). Also included in the package is US government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
“The proposed sale will improve the Australian Army’s capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining and increasing its anti-armor capability,” the DSCA stated.
The Australian Army is already an operator of the Javelin missile and has already previously purchased the FGM-148F variant of the missile, which has an advanced multi-purpose warhead. This latest FMS can thus be seen as a replenishment/building up of stocks.
The prime contractor for the sale will be the Javelin Joint Venture, which comprises RTX Corporation (Raytheon), out of its facilities in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin, out of its facilities in Orlando, Florida.
