UK Ministry of Defence,
British troops are to get Javelin, one of the most advanced anti-armour missile systems in the world, four months ahead of schedule thanks to the work of the UK MoD, the US Javelin Joint Venture and the US Department of Defence.
The announcement that the shoulder-launched missile has successfully entered service was made today as industry and MoD officials witnessed a live firing trial on Salisbury Plain. The system was not originally expected to achieve its In Service Date (ISD) until November 2005 at the earliest.
At the firing exercise troops fired the new weapon from a variety of situations, hitting target tanks from different ranges and from different fire positions, including trenches, vehicles and confined spaces.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Drayson, said: “Getting this powerful weapon system into service four months early is a testament to the hard work of the UK Javelin team and the US Javelin Joint Venture – the Raytheon and Lockheed Martin group supplying Javelin to the MOD.
“Javelin is already in service with the US military, and today's announcement serves to further underline the effective working relationship that exists between our two countries and governments.
“On the battlefield, where speed, accuracy and power are paramount, Javelin is in a league of its own. With almost unparalleled firepower it gives our troops the ability to defeat any main battle tank. But this is just one benefit – as a 'fire and forget' weapon defencetalk it guides itself towards the target, meaning troops can move cover as soon as they have fired it. It is also considerably lighter than its predecessor, Milan.
“Today's demonstration reaffirms our decision to procure this system for UK units as the right one and, when it enters service, Javelin will form a vital part of the UK arsenal for years to come.”
Background Information and Notes:
1. Javelin has been selected to equip British Army Armoured Infantry (AI) and Formation Reconnaissance (FR) forces, light infantry units, 3 Commando Brigade and Mechanised Infantry (MI).
2. Each system is light enough to be carried easily by two men and can be set up, locked onto its target and fired in moments. It has a range of around 2.5km and represents a step change in technology compared with the existing Milan and Swingfire systems which it will replace.
3. Javelin is being provided to the MOD by the US Javelin Joint Venture (Lockheed Martin and Raytheon). The value of the procurement is in the region of
