US Army Awards $900.5M Contract to Javelin Joint Venture as Brazil and Tunisia Join Global Users
The Javelin Joint Venture just secured its second consecutive $900.5 million production contract from the U.S. Army — this time with a twist: Brazil and Tunisia are now on the roster. Announced on September 3, 2025, the deal isn’t just about volume — it’s about reach. For the first time ever, a South American nation and a North African country will field the Javelin missile system, turning what was once a European and Indo-Pacific staple into a truly global weapon. The implications? Geopolitical realignments are quietly unfolding, one guided missile at a time.
From Arizona to Africa: The Javelin’s Global Surge
The Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon (an RTX business) in Tucson, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida, has now produced over 55,000 FGM-148 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units since the system entered service in the late 1990s. That’s not just a lot of hardware — it’s a lot of trust. Countries don’t buy Javelins because they’re cheap. They buy them because they work. In Ukraine, in the Caucasus, in the deserts of the Middle East — the Javelin has proven itself against tanks, bunkers, and even drones. Now, it’s crossing oceans.Brazil’s decision to acquire the system signals a strategic pivot. For decades, its military procurement leaned toward European and Russian platforms. But with rising instability along its Amazonian borders and growing concerns about regional arms races, Brasília is turning to Washington. The move isn’t just about defense — it’s a diplomatic signal. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s acquisition, approved by the U.S. Department of State in late 2024, comes amid mounting threats from armed groups along its Libyan border. The Javelin’s fire-and-forget capability, top-attack profile, and minimal training requirements make it ideal for a nation with limited armored forces but urgent anti-armor needs.
Why This Contract Is Different
This isn’t just another IDIQ (indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity) contract. It’s the second $900.5 million award in under two years — the first came in May 2023. That kind of consistency is rare in defense procurement, where delays and budget cuts are the norm. The fact that the Army renewed at the exact same dollar amount suggests two things: one, the Javelin is performing exactly as expected; two, demand isn’t slowing down. It’s accelerating.And it’s not just Brazil and Tunisia. The contract also includes deliveries to Estonia, Bulgaria, and Australia. Australia’s inclusion is particularly telling. With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific, Canberra is arming its infantry with Javelins not just as a deterrent, but as a force multiplier against potential armored incursions. The system’s portability — a single soldier can carry and fire it — makes it perfect for island-hopping campaigns and jungle warfare.
"Javelin remains the world’s most effective, combat-proven anti-armor system," said Brian Burton, vice president of Precision Fires and Maneuver at Raytheon. "We’re working closely with the U.S. Army and international customers, and continuing to invest in our production facilities, to meet global demand." His counterpart at Lockheed Martin, Rich Liccion, echoed the sentiment: "Our ability to ramp production is crucial in supporting our customers’ needs. We are committed to delivering this critical defence solution to help our partners stay ahead of ready and defend against the ever-evolving threats worldwide."
Production Surge: Building More Than Missiles
Behind the scenes, JJV has quietly overhauled its manufacturing process. Earlier this year, the joint venture installed new automated tooling and diagnostic test equipment at both its Tucson and Orlando facilities. The goal? To increase output by 40% without adding shifts or hiring hundreds of new workers. That’s not just efficiency — it’s a response to a new reality. The Javelin is no longer a niche weapon for elite units. It’s becoming standard issue for allied infantry squads from the Baltic to the Pacific.According to Army Technology, the 2024 $1.3 billion contract was the largest single-year production order in Javelin history. This year’s $900.5 million follow-on doesn’t break that record — but it confirms the trend. And with more than 25 international customers now operating the system, the Javelin has become the NATO-standard anti-tank weapon, even among non-NATO partners.
What This Means for Global Security
The addition of Brazil and Tunisia doesn’t just expand the Javelin’s footprint — it reshapes it. For the first time, the system is now deployed on every continent except Antarctica. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a blueprint. Countries are choosing the Javelin not because of U.S. pressure, but because it’s the only system that delivers on three critical fronts: reliability, ease of use, and battlefield effectiveness.Tunisia’s acquisition could open the door to deeper defense cooperation with NATO and European partners, including joint training exercises and intelligence sharing. Brazil, meanwhile, may soon be part of regional security pacts involving the U.S., Colombia, and Chile. These aren’t just arms deals. They’re alliance builders.
And here’s the quiet truth: as long as tanks remain a threat on modern battlefields — and they will — the Javelin will remain indispensable. It doesn’t need radar. It doesn’t need a drone spotter. It just needs a soldier with a steady hand and a clear target. In an age of hybrid warfare, that simplicity is its superpower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Brazil’s purchase of the Javelin significant?
Brazil’s acquisition marks the first time a South American nation has adopted the Javelin missile system, signaling a major shift in its defense posture. Historically reliant on Russian and European arms, Brasília’s decision reflects growing concerns over border security and a strategic pivot toward U.S. military technology. The move could also pave the way for joint exercises with the U.S. and regional allies like Colombia and Chile.
How does Tunisia’s Javelin order affect regional security?
Tunisia faces persistent threats from armed groups along its border with Libya, where armored vehicles and heavy weapons are increasingly common. The Javelin gives Tunisian forces a portable, highly accurate means to neutralize these threats without needing armored vehicles of their own. This could deter cross-border raids and strengthen cooperation with NATO and European partners through joint training programs.
What makes the Javelin different from other anti-tank weapons?
The Javelin is fire-and-forget, meaning the soldier can take cover immediately after launch. Its top-attack mode targets the thinner armor on tank turrets, making it lethal against even modern main battle tanks. Unlike older systems that require complex targeting or sustained operator exposure, the Javelin is simple to train on and effective in urban, mountainous, or jungle terrain — which is why over 25 countries now use it.
Why is production ramping up so quickly?
The Javelin Joint Venture installed new automated tooling and diagnostic systems in early 2025 to boost output by 40%. This response to global demand — from Ukraine to Australia — shows the system’s critical role in modern warfare. With over 55,000 missiles produced and no sign of slowing, JJV is now the world’s primary supplier of infantry anti-tank systems, outpacing even Russian and Chinese equivalents.
Is the Javelin being used in Ukraine?
Yes. The Javelin has been one of the most critical Western weapons supplied to Ukraine since 2022, credited with destroying hundreds of Russian tanks and armored vehicles. Ukrainian soldiers have praised its reliability in winter conditions and urban combat. The system’s combat performance there directly influenced new international orders, including those from Brazil and Tunisia.
What’s next for the Javelin Joint Venture?
JJV is already developing the next-generation Javelin, known as Javelin Block 2, which includes improved guidance for moving targets and enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures. The U.S. Army has signaled interest in a medium-range variant for brigade-level units. With production scaling and new markets opening, the Javelin is poised to remain the gold standard for infantry anti-armor systems well into the 2030s.