United States has authorized a $46 million sale of Javelin missiles to Ireland

The U.S. State Department has authorized a potential Foreign Military Sale to Ireland, which includes FGM-148 Javelin missiles, Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs), and related support, totaling around $46 million, as announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

The DSCA reported that Ireland has requested thirty-six LwCLUs to complement a previous Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement that involved forty-four FGM-148 Javelin missiles. The earlier sale, priced at $8.7 million, was below the congressional notification threshold.

This new notification increases the total to forty-four Javelin missiles and thirty-six LwCLUs, along with additional items such as missile containers, Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers, U.S. Government technical assistance, and other logistical support.

The DSCA indicated that the proposed sale will bolster U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by strengthening Ireland’s defense capabilities, enabling the country to maintain its contributions to United Nations peacekeeping efforts and NATO’s Partnership for Peace initiative.

The agency stated, ‘This proposed sale will enhance Ireland’s ability to develop its long-term defense capacity to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with its national defense needs.’

Furthermore, the DSCA noted that Ireland will seamlessly integrate the new equipment into its military forces, and the sale will not disrupt the regional military balance. The primary contractors for this transaction will be the Javelin Joint Venture, comprising Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, and RTX Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. Currently, no offset agreements have been proposed, but any such arrangements would be negotiated between Ireland and the contractors.

The DSCA has verified that executing the sale will not necessitate the addition of U.S. Government or contractor personnel in Ireland, and that U.S. defense readiness will not be impacted by this transaction.

The Javelin missile system, produced collaboratively by Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation, is a portable, shoulder-mounted weapon intended for targeting armored vehicles, fortifications, and low-flying helicopters. It has been extensively utilized by U.S. forces and allies in recent military engagements.