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The US Army has ordered a follow-on production deal to the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV), valued at $1.3bn – the largest single-year production contract for Javelin missiles to date.
This deal is the first follow-on award that comes under a pre-existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity production contract with the Raytheon-Lockheed Martin team. This was originally awarded in May 2023; it has a total ceiling of $7.2bn for fiscal years 2023 to 2026. Last year, the Army provided just over $1bn.
The aim is to nearly double Javelin All Up Round production from 2,100 Javelins to 3,960 per year by late 2026.
Global use
“Now more than ever, Javelin is recognised as the most effective, combat-proven anti-armour weapon system in the world,” Andy Amaro, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon, an RTX business.
Ukrainian troops are using the missile systems against Russian tanks and armoured vehicles. To date, the US has provided more than 10,000 Javelin systems as the country’s largest donor of military assistance as of 9 August 2024.
Javelin is a portable anti-tank weapon. It is shoulder-fired but it can also be deployed from multiple platforms installed on tracked, wheeled or amphibious vehicles.
The system has been deployed extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq; the US and coalition forces have successfully conducted more than 5,000 engagements with the weapon system. Now, however, more than 50,000 Javelin missiles and 12,000 command launch units (CLUs) are currently in service within the US armed forces and over 20 allied nations. Javelin is expected to remain operational in the US inventory until 2050.
Growing military demand
“Through this contract, we will continue to produce and deliver this needed capability to support global ground forces in their efforts to protect and defend their interests and sovereignty,” Amaro added.
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With more than 25 international customers worldwide, the contract supports Javelin’s increased global demand, including new international customer Kosovo, which ordered 246 missiles and 24 light CLUs in January in a Foreign Military Sales agreement that cost $75m.
The Army funds under this latest follow-on contract also includes more than 4,000 Javelins to replenish rounds sent to Ukraine.
Currently, Javelin is developed and produced by the JJV between Raytheon in Tucson, Arizona and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida.
