US clears Excalibur artillery shells, Javelin anti-tank systems for India
The US has approved the sale of Excalibur guided artillery projectiles and the anti-tank Javelin missile system and related equipment worth over $90 million to India, marking a significant step forward for Delhi’s big-ticket military procurements from Washington.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, in two separate statements, said the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of Excalibur Projectiles and related equipment at an estimated cost of $47.1 million and of the Javelin Missile System and related equipment at an estimated cost of $45.7 million.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress about the sales. It said the proposed sale will improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing precision capability equipment, which will increase first strike accuracy of its brigades.
It said the Indian request was for 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles. Non-MDE (major defence equipment) items to be included in the sale are ancillary items; Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems (PEFCS) with Improved Platform Integration Kit (iPIK); primers; propellant charges; US Government technical assistance; technical data; repair and return services; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
In 2019, the Army had procured around 600 rounds of the Excalibur munition to increase its artillery firepower.
This included around 500 rounds of ammunition with an accuracy of 20 metres from the target and around 100 rounds which could hit targets with an accuracy of two metres.
The range of the Excalibur munition bought by the Army is around 40 to 57 km, differing with the specific configuration and the howitzer it is fired from.