U.S. Approves Sale of Over 2,500 Javelin Missiles to Poland

Poland will purchase additional Javelin anti-tank missiles and launchers from the United States to strengthen its military amid the threat from Russia.

On September 18th, the U.S. Department of State approved the possible sale of this weaponry.

The deal includes the delivery of up to 2,506 FGM-148F Javelin missiles and 253 Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs).

The total value of the potential sale of guided missiles, along with the associated equipment and services, is estimated at $780 million.

Polish officials noted that the new Javelins would provide light infantry units with additional anti-tank capabilities.

Javelin man-portable anti-tank systems are currently in service with units of the Territorial Defence Forces.

Poland signed an agreement to purchase its first batch of American FGM-148F ATGMs in May 2020.

The contract included the delivery of 60 CLU launchers and 180 missiles, as well as additional equipment and operator training. The delivery of this weaponry was completed in October 2022.

In September of the following year, it was reported that Poland had been seeking opportunities to manufacture Javelins. At that time, a memorandum was signed between the Polish state-owned company PGZ and the American Javelin Joint Venture (a partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin) on this matter.

Javelin

The Javelin ATGM is a man-portable anti-tank system developed by U.S. companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It belongs to the ‘fire-and-forget’ class of weapon systems. The system is designed to destroy armored vehicles and can also engage low-flying aerial targets such as helicopters and drones.

The FGM-148 missile is equipped with a thermal homing system, which means the ATGM operator does not need to guide or adjust the missile’s flight after launch – it does so autonomously.

Production of the FGM-148F variant began in May 2020. These missiles feature an enhanced multi-purpose warhead that includes a tandem shaped charge designed to penetrate both current and future armored vehicles, including those equipped with reactive armor. The warhead also has a fragmenting metal case to increase effectiveness against personnel and lightly armored targets by producing shrapnel.