U.S. Approves Sale of 300 Javelin Missiles to Royal Thai Army

The U.S. State Department green-lighted the sale of 300 Javelin missiles to the Royal Thai Army (RTA) on Friday.

The Government of Thailand intends to buy 300 Javelin FGM-148 missiles and fifty Javelin Command Launch Units (CLU). Also included are Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers; missile simulation rounds; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD) Technical Assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office Technical Assistance; contractor lifecycle support; spares manuals; batteries/chargers; gunner training; ammunition officer training; OCONUS Modified Level 2 Maintenance Training; System Inspection and Check Out (SICO); and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost is $83.5 million.

The Javelin Weapon System will replace the obsolete 106mm Recoilless Rifles that the RTA acquired as part of the Military Assistance Program (MAP) from the Vietnam era. This proposed sale will allow the RTA to modernize their light anti-tank capability and maintain its current force posture, as well as enhance interoperability with the U.S. during operations and training exercises.

The prime contractors will be Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture of Orlando, Florida, and Tucson, Arizona.