US State Department clears Australia to buy Javelin launch units

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs) for the Javelin anti-armour missile, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 19 August 2025.

The potential sale, which is worth an estimated USD 97.3 million (EUR 83.4 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.

Australia has requested to buy 161 Javelin LwCLUs that will be added to a previously implemented FMS case, the value of which was under the congressional notification threshold. The original FMS case, valued at USD 6.3 million, included Javelin life cycle support and US government and contractor technical assistance.

The latest proposed package also includes: a Javelin LwCLU basic skills trainer; missile simulation rounds and battery coolant unit; electronic technical and operator manuals; life cycle support; physical security inspection; spare parts; system integration and check out; US government and contractor technical assistance; and various aspects of engineering, logistics, training and programme support.

The Australian Army is already an operator of the FGM-148 Javelin manportable anti-tank missile.

The DSCA stated that the proposed sale “will enhance Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its advanced surface-fired munitions capabilities and increasing its capability to deter adversaries”, adding that this enhanced capability “will protect Australia and local allied land forces and will significantly improve Australia’s contribution to coalition anti-armor capability”.

The principal contractor for the Australian Javelin LwCLU FMS will be the Javelin Joint Venture, which comprises RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, Virginia, and Lockheed Martin, located in Orlando, Florida.