Ireland Gets U.S. Clearance to Buy Javelin Missiles

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Ireland of FGM-148 Javelin missiles and related support systems, according to a notification released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday.

The proposed sale, valued at $46 million, is intended to strengthen Ireland’s defense capabilities and support its international peacekeeping commitments.

The deal includes a total of forty-four Javelin missiles and thirty-six Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs), as well as missile containers, training aids, technical assistance, and other logistical support. These items will be added to an earlier Foreign Military Sales case previously valued at $8.7 million, which fell below the threshold requiring congressional notification. With the new certification, Congress has now been formally informed of the total package.

The Javelin missile system is designed for infantry use and is known for its fire-and-forget technology, providing anti-tank capabilities and precise targeting.

The prime contractors for the sale are the Javelin Joint Venture, a collaboration between Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, and RTX Corporation in Tucson, Arizona.