Lockheed Martin has been awarded two contracts totaling $309 million to produce 1,300 Javelin missile systems for the US Army.
Funded by the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, the order will backfill US stocks provided to the Ukrainian military amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
The US has reportedly sent more than 5,000 Javelin systems to the Eastern European nation since the start of the Biden administration. Most of the deliveries have occurred after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
According to Lockheed Martin official Dave Pantano, the company is working hard to meet the increasing demand for Javelin anti-tank missiles.
“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,” he said.
Aside from the US Army, the contracts include orders from international customers such as Norway, Albania, Latvia, and Thailand.
The Javelin Missile
Developed under a Lockheed – Raytheon joint venture, the Javelin missile system is a shoulder-fired weapon designed to defeat armor such as main battle tanks.
It automatically guides its ammunition to the target after launch, allowing the operator to take cover and avoid counterfire.
The weapon also offers a direct attack mode to engage covered targets, bunkers, buildings, and helicopters.