The latest batch of missiles for anti-tank systems Javelin recently delivered to Ukraine from the United States belong to the FGM-148E version, one of the weapon’s freshest modifications, as Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on June 23.
The $27 million deal struck in December as part of the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program, which provided the purchase of a new total of 150 Javelin missiles and 10 launchers, also envisaged the systems’ full maintenance and training of operating personnel throughout the weapon’s operational lifespan.
The delivery was also part of a larger $36 million contract on providing Ukraine with additional military-grade hardware, which is due to arrive in the country in 2021-2022, according to Ukraine’s military.
The Javelin FGM-148E version, also known as Block 1, has been operated by the U.S. Army since 2008 and is being currently replaced by the most recent modification FGM-148F produced for the U.S. military only.
According to the Kyiv-based Defense Express military analytical agency, the FGM-148E version envisages a modified missile engine envisaging a shorter firing-to-impact time, as well as the more powerful warhead.
The new, lighter launcher was improved in terms of accuracy, increasing the probability of a target kill to over 97%.
In general, in compliance with a deal approved in 2018, Ukraine is expected to get a total of 47 Javelin launchers and 360 missiles, as part of U.S. effort to help deter the Kremlin’s protracted military intervention in the country’s east and the occupation of Crimea.
