Why in the News?
India has formally submitted a Letter of Request (LoR) to the United States seeking the co-production of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
About the Javelin Missile:
- About: American-made man-portable anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
- Developers: Jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
- Purpose:
- Defeats heavily armoured vehicles such as main battle tanks.
- Effective against bunkers, fortifications, and helicopters.
- Operational Since: Entered service with the U.S. military in 1996.
Key Features:
- Range:
- Standard effective range: 2.5 km.
- Advanced variants: Can reach up to 4 km.
- Weight: Approximately 5.11 kg.
- Technology:
- Employs a “fire-and-forget” system.
- No need for operator guidance after launch.
- Target Engagement Modes:
- Direct attack mode: For conventional engagement.
- Top-attack mode: Hits the weaker top armour of tanks.
- Mobility & Safety:
- Soldiers can relocate or reload immediately after launch.
- Uses infrared guidance allowing quick post-launch cover.
| [UPSC 2018] What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?
Options: (a) An Israeli radar system (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme (c) An American anti-missile system* (d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea |
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