Lockheed Martin & Raytheon rope in Tata Power to co-produce Javelin missile system

The Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin, has roped in Tata Power Company Limited to explore co-development and production of the Javelin anti-armour missile system. A letter of intent (LoI) to this effect was signed by Javelin Joint Venture and strategic engineering division (SED) of Tata Power yesterday.

“This agreement brings together three world leaders in aerospace and defense technology to extend Javelin to new customers, new applications and new platforms. With this deal, we are also reinforcing our continued support of the ‘Make in India’ initiative,” said John Halvey, Javelin Joint Venture president at Raytheon Missile Systems.

As part of the LoI, the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) and Tata Power SED will create a strategy to co-develop and produce the Javelin missile system and integrate platform mounts to meet Indian requirements. This includes ground combat vehicle, dismounted infantry and rotorcraft applications.

“The combat-proven Javelin continues to fulfil a critical precision-strike role with our domestic and international partners. We look forward to working with Tata Power SED to maximize the versatility and lethality of Javelin on these new platforms,” informed Rich Benton, Javelin Joint Venture vice president and Javelin program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

In addition to meeting the Government of India’s Make in India objectives, the LoI establishes a framework for future technological cooperation between the Javelin Joint Venture and Tata Power SED.

Rahul Chaudhry, chief executive officer at Tata Power SED, added, “Since the early 1980s,Tata Power SED has established its R&D and ‘Make in India’ credentials, as part of Dr Kalam’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. Now, our partnership with the JJV will bring the world’s best technology to our soldiers enabling battlefield supremacy. Indian industry will benefit immensely from the depth and range of this planned technology transfer and co-development.”

Javelin - a compact, lightweight missile designed for one-soldier operations in all environments - is currently fielded with the US Army and US Marine Corps, and has also been approved for 15 foreign military sales customers.

The Maryland (USA) based Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. 

Headquartered in Waltham (Massachusetts, USA), Raytheon Company specialises in defence, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. It provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.