Georgia already uses the Javelin antitank missile but it is poised to receive more. (Photo: US Army/MAJ Randy Ready)
The US State Department on 3 August announced its approval of a potential $30 million FMS deal to supply Georgia with additional Javelin FGM-148 antitank missiles and related equipment.
The Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV would be the prime contractor on the sale, which would see 82 Javelins delivered from US Army stocks.
Also included are 46 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLUs), training and simulation hardware, plus technical and logistics support.
The then defence minister Irakli Garibashvili announced in December 2020 that the Georgian MoD intends to procure more FGM-148 Javelins in 2021, in addition to the 72 launchers and 410 missiles previously received from the US.
‘This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of Georgia which is a strategic partner and a key contributor to security and stability [in] the region,’ the State Department noted in justifying its latest decision.
It added that the Javelin system will help Georgia build its long-term defence capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to meet its national defence requirements.
The State Department also recently approved an FMS of 300 Javelins and 50 CLUs for Thailand.
The effort to develop uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) is heating up with research efforts and exercises improving the speed of the process and the war in Ukraine is working as a proving ground for rapid development and fielding.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher is in high demand with Lockheed Martin doubling speed of manufacture since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As orders are racked up in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region is seeing the increasing presence of the system.
The company's Riddler uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to be small and light to allow easy deployment and the ability to access smaller areas such as bus or train aisles.
The Spanish Government has outlined plans to purchase communications and cybersecurity capabilities but most notably amphibious combat vehicles, self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), bridge-laying vehicles and an effort to replace its tanks from 2040.
Germany is Europe’s leading country for tank manufacture and until this month was committed to the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which included tanks and other vehicles. Earlier this month, Germany and other European countries set up the Main ARmoured Tank of Europe (MARTE) project casting a shadow over the MGCS.
Denmark signed the Technical Arrangement for the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) in April this year. The order means the country will receive its first vehicle this year.
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