The US is enhancing Tunisia’s anti-tank capabilities with the approval of a $108-million foreign military sale for FGM-148F Javelin missiles.
As announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US State Department has authorized the transfer of 184 Javelin missiles and 30 lightweight command launch units to the North African country.
The weapons are expected to bolster Tunisia’s long-term defense capacity, helping to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
They will also assist the Tunisian Army in addressing national defense needs amid ongoing terrorist threats in the country.
“This proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that continues to play an important role in regional security and peacekeeping operations throughout Africa,” the DSCA stated.
In addition to missiles and launch units, Tunisia has requested spare parts, indoor and outdoor trainers, and maintenance and logistics support.
Lockheed Martin and RTX will serve as the prime contractors.
‘Fire-and-Forget’ Weapon
The FGM-148F Javelin is a man-portable, shoulder-fired missile designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles, such as main battle tanks.
Featuring “fire-and-forget” capability, it allows operators to launch the missile and immediately take cover or reposition to minimize the risk of counterattacks.
The weapon’s top-attack profile also enables it to strike the weakest point of a target’s armor by first climbing above it.
With a high-explosive warhead, the Javelin travels at speeds of up to 140 meters (460 feet) per second and can engage targets up to 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) away.
The missile is already in service with several countries, including Australia, France, Norway, Taiwan, the UK, Poland, and Ukraine, where it has proven highly effective against Russian armored vehicles.