The U.S. Army awarded two production contracts totaling $309 million to the Javelin Joint Venture to produce over 1,300 of the portable anti-tank weapons that have been so effectively used by Ukrainian defense forces in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The funds will be provided by the recent Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, Lockheed said, and the weapons will be supplied to several foreign military sales customers, including Norway, Albania, Latvia, and Thailand.
Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet recently indicated the group is working to increase Javelin production from 2,100 to 4,000 annually, and is working to coordinate the program supply chain to achieve that.
The Javelin is an anti-tank missile system that uses infrared guidance, allowing the operator to launch the weapon and seek cover. The “high-explosive anti-tank” (HEAT) warhead is effective against tanks as well as fortifications.
Reportedly, the U.S. has delivered more than 5,500 Javelin systems from Dept. of Defense stockpiles to the Ukraine defense forces since the Russian invasion began on February 24.
The Javelin Joint Venture is a partnership of Lockheed and Raytheon Missiles & Defense that has produced over 50,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units since 1996. Lockheed noted the Javelin is expected to remain in the U.S. weapon arsenal until 2050, incorporating system updates to retain “overmatch” versus threats and to support evolving operational needs.
“The Javelin Joint Venture is working hard to meet this increase in demand,” stated Lockheed Martin Javelin program director Dave Pantano. “Javelin’s unique capabilities have proven to be a difference-maker in our users’ defining moments, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Army to deliver this critical weapon system.”
