The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Tunisia of Javelin anti-tank missiles, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 3 December 2024.
The potential sale, which is worth USD 107.7 million (EUR 101.9 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
Tunisia has requested to buy 184 Javelin FGM-148F missiles (including four fly-to-buy missiles) and 30 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units. Also included in the package is missile simulation round system integration and check-out; operator manuals; spare parts; indoor/outdoor trainers; and various aspects of technical, training, logistics and programme support.
The Tunisian Army’s crew-served anti-tank capabilities are currently fulfilled by vehicle-mounted BGM-71 TOW missiles and M40 recoilless rifles as well as manportable MILAN missiles.
The DSCA noted that the proposed sale will “improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that continues to play an important role in regional security and peacekeeping operations throughout Africa”. The agency added that the sale “will improve Tunisia’s long-term defence capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to meet its national defence requirements.
The prime contractor for the sale would be the Javelin Joint Venture comprising Lockheed Martin out of Orlando, Florida, and RTX Corporation out of Tucson, Arizona.
