The US Department of State has approved a possible USD75 million Foreign Military Sale of Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile to Georgia, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a 20 November statement.

The Government of Georgia has requested to purchase four 410 Javelin Missiles, and 72 Javelin Command Launch Units (CLUs) includes 2 Javelin Block 1 CLUs to be used as spares).  Also included are 10 Basic Skills Trainers (BST); up to 70 simulated rounds; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; transportation; and other related elements of logistics and program support.  The total estimated cost is $75 million.

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This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of Georgia.  The Javelin system will provide Georgia with increased capacity to meet its national defense requirements.  Georgia will have no difficulty absorbing this system into its armed forces.

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The Javelin is an American man-portable fire-and-forget anti-tank missile. Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile with lock-on before launch and automatic self-guidance. The system takes a top-attack flight profile against armored vehicles (attacking the top armor, which is generally thinner), but can also take a direct-attack mode for use against buildings, targets inside the minimum top-attack engagement range, and targets under obstructions. The missile also has the ability to engage helicopters in the direct attack mode.