US approves sale of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine
The United States has formally approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, the State Department said Thursday, confirming a move expected to anger Kiev’s foe Russia.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Ukraine has asked President Donald Trump’s US administration for permission to buy 210 missiles and 37 launchers at a cost of around $47 million.
US government employees and contractors will help transport the weapons and train Ukraine’s forces, who are fighting a Russian-backed insurgency in the east of the country, to use them.
“The Javelin system will help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to meet its national defense requirements,” the statement said.
The United States and its Western allies back Ukraine in its struggle to reunite its country after Russia annexed the Crimea region and pro-Russian rebels seized two eastern industrial regions.
But Washington has been cautious in the past about escalating the conflict by providing advanced “lethal” weaponry to Kiev, which may provoke a further degradation in tense ties with Moscow.
Nevertheless, the DSCA statement said: “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
If no-one in the US Congress objects to the sale, contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin will be able to begin supplying the weapons within two months.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine]()
Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine
Pearson Engineering’s Threat-Sense system is designed to use imaging from drones to geolocate scattered mines and support uncrewed systems in defeating the threats.
-
![Is motorisation set to be the next evolution of towed artillery?]()
Is motorisation set to be the next evolution of towed artillery?
Artillery remains a key tool on the modern battlefield. Artillery platforms, however, are increasingly at risk from enemy fire, whether from other artillery or uncrewed …
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans
In the past three months Milrem Robotics has signed cooperation agreements with Hanwha, EOS Defence Systems and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and at Eurosatory 2026 with CNIM Systèmes Industriels and Frankenburg Technologies. The deals come as the company develops its Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: GDELS and Thales combine proven tech to create reduced-risk CUAS]()
Eurosatory 2026: GDELS and Thales combine proven tech to create reduced-risk CUAS
Both Thales and GDELS shone a spotlight on their uncrewed and counter-drone efforts at Eurosatory 2026, highlighting the integration of mature technologies with stable C2 systems that are open to agnostic additions and expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV]()
Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV
At Eurosatory 2026, uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) are front and centre of IDV’s display, with a new variant of the Viking and the new CL2X on show.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Recovery, reconnaissance, autonomy and air defence shape land systems developments]()
Eurosatory 2026: Recovery, reconnaissance, autonomy and air defence shape land systems developments
New recovery vehicles, reconnaissance platforms, autonomous fire-support systems and short-range air-defence capabilities on display at Eurosatory 2026 highlighted how land forces are adapting to evolving battlefield requirements.
