Contract for the Production of FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to Conclude in February 2025
On July 30, 2021, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced via its website that the U.S. Department of State had approved the sale of 300 FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles, 50 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLU), and related equipment, including training and support, to the Thai government under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The total contract value was $83.5 million, approximately 2.751 billion Thai baht.
According to DSCA’s statement, “This sale is consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a key non-NATO ally in Southeast Asia.” The United States and Thailand have maintained an alliance for over 182 years.
DSCA further stated that the Javelin missile system would replace the Royal Thai Army’s aging 106mm recoilless rifles, which were provided as part of U.S. military assistance during the Vietnam War. The sale would modernize the Royal Thai Army’s anti-tank capabilities, maintain force readiness, and improve interoperability with U.S. forces.
The primary contractors for this procurement are Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, operating in Florida and Arizona. Contract terms and conditions would be determined through negotiations between the contractors and Thailand’s defense procurement authorities.
Clarifications on Thailand’s Javelin Missile Procurement
On August 1, 2021, a source within the Royal Thai Army addressed reports of the U.S. approving the sale of FGM-148 Javelin missiles to Thailand. The Royal Thai Army had indeed planned to procure the missiles, with a budget allocated for fiscal years 2022–2024
However, the procurement was excluded from the 2022 budget by the Special Committee on the Annual Budget Bill. The approval by the U.S. Congress served only as a broad authorization, and the Royal Thai Army planned to acquire the missiles in phases based on operational requirements and budget availability.
U.S. Department of Defense Contract Announcement
On May 12, 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense published a contract announcement detailing the procurement of various weapon systems, including the FGM-148 Javelin. The Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture, based in Tucson, Arizona, was awarded a $71,412,090 contract (P00066)
under contract W31P4Q-19-C-0076 for Javelin missile systems. Production would take place in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of February 28, 2025. The procurement was funded under the U.S. Army’s fiscal year 2022 budget and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for Thailand, Norway, Albania, and Latvia. The contracting activity was handled by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
This confirms that the Royal Thai Army has indeed signed a procurement contract for the FGM-148 Javelin system, albeit in smaller quantities than the full approval granted by the U.S. The original approval covered 300 missiles and 50 CLU launch units, valued at $83.5 million (2.751 billion baht). If additional budget becomes available, the Royal Thai Army may continue to procure more units under the approved framework.
FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile System Specifications
• Type: Fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile
• Manufacturer: Raytheon & Lockheed Martin
• Unit Price:
• Javelin Command Launch Unit (CLU): ~9 million THB per unit
• Javelin missile: ~8.7 million THB per round
• Weight (Ready-to-Fire): 22.3 kg (49 lbs)
• Launcher weight: 6.4 kg (14 lbs)
• Missile weight: 15.9 kg (35 lbs)
• Missile Length: 1.1 m (43 in)
• Missile Diameter: 127 mm (5 in)
• Launcher Length: 1.2 m (47 in)
• Launcher Diameter: 142 mm
• Crew: 1–2 operators
• Effective Range:
• 2.5 km (1.6 mi) with original CLU
• 4 km (2.5 mi) with Lightweight CLU
• 4.75 km (2.95 mi) when vehicle-mounted
• Missile Speed: 140 m/s
• Targeting System: Optical sight and thermal imaging