The U.S. State Department has approved a proposed $46 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Ireland, which includes FGM-148 Javelin missiles, Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLUs), and a range of associated support equipment and services. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) publicly announced the sale on Thursday following formal congressional notification.
This new package adds to a previous, smaller Javelin missile sale and represents a significant step in strengthening Ireland’s defensive capabilities. It marks a deepening of military ties between Washington and Dublin at a time when European nations are reevaluating their defense postures in response to evolving security threats across the globe.
According to the DSCA, the Government of Ireland has formally requested the purchase of thirty-six Lightweight Command Launch Units, which will complement forty-four FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles approved in an earlier FMS transaction. The previous $8.7 million deal fell below the U.S. congressional notification threshold, and thus did not receive a public announcement at the time.
With this new approval, Ireland’s total Javelin inventory will rise to forty-four missiles and thirty-six LwCLUs, accompanied by missile containers, training systems such as the Enhanced Producibility Basic Skills Trainers, and a suite of logistical and technical assistance.
The DSCA emphasized that the proposed sale aligns with broader U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives. “This proposed sale will enhance Ireland’s capability to build its long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to meet its national defense requirements,” the agency said in a statement. It added that Ireland will face no difficulty integrating the new equipment into its military forces.
Ireland, a historically neutral country, has nevertheless maintained active participation in international peacekeeping operations and has increasingly focused on modernizing its defense capabilities in recent years. The Irish Defence Forces are contributors to United Nations missions and maintain cooperation under NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program, despite Ireland not being a NATO member.
U.S. officials argue that strengthening Ireland’s military capacity helps ensure continued contribution to such peacekeeping missions while enhancing European stability more broadly. The Javelin missile, known for its effectiveness and ease of use, is a sought-after platform for nations looking to bolster their defenses without dramatically expanding their military footprint.
The Javelin system is particularly valuable for light infantry forces due to its portability and precision. It provides Irish forces with a credible deterrent against modern armored threats and a flexible response option in both domestic and international operations.
Despite the addition of modern anti-tank weaponry to Ireland’s arsenal, the DSCA stressed that the sale will not alter the military balance in the region. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the agency stated, indicating that the transaction is seen as a proportional and appropriate enhancement to Ireland’s defense capabilities rather than a shift in posture.
Additionally, the U.S. government confirmed that no U.S. military or contractor personnel would need to be deployed to Ireland in support of the sale, suggesting that Ireland’s existing defense infrastructure is well-prepared to absorb and manage the new equipment independently.
The primary contractors for this sale are the Javelin Joint Venture—a partnership between Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), based in Tucson, Arizona. Both companies have been central players in the development and proliferation of the Javelin missile system, which has been widely used by U.S. and allied forces in conflicts from Iraq and Afghanistan to Ukraine.
The Javelin is a fire-and-forget missile system, meaning it can lock onto a target before launch and guide itself in flight without further operator input. Its ability to strike from above makes it especially lethal against tanks and armored vehicles, whose top armor is typically the weakest. In recent conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Javelin has been credited with leveling the battlefield between infantry units and armored forces.
Ireland’s purchase is not expected to include any offset agreements at this stage, though such arrangements could still be negotiated directly between Irish officials and the manufacturers. Offsets are often used in international defense deals to generate local economic or industrial benefits, such as technology transfers or local assembly contracts.
Ireland’s move to acquire Javelin missiles comes amid rising defense spending across Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 fundamentally altered the continent’s security landscape, prompting NATO members and partners alike to reevaluate their military preparedness.
Though Ireland has long maintained a policy of military neutrality, recent debates have emerged around what that stance means in a 21st-century context. There is growing political and public support for upgrading Ireland’s defense infrastructure, particularly as concerns mount over cyber threats, surveillance capabilities, and the need to defend critical infrastructure, including undersea cables and airspace.
In 2022, the Irish government released a report warning that the country’s military was not equipped to deal with a “high-end” threat. Since then, the government has signaled its intent to boost defense spending and modernize its forces. The Javelin purchase aligns with that goal and provides a high-impact capability for a relatively low investment.
Congressional review is the next step in the process, but given the modest scale and the nature of the sale to a close partner like Ireland, no major objections are expected. Once approved, the deal will move into the implementation phase, during which the U.S. and Ireland will finalize contract details, timelines, and training support.
While small compared to U.S. arms deals with larger allies, the Irish sale is symbolically and strategically important. It underscores Ireland’s evolving defense priorities and the U.S. commitment to supporting the security of democratic partners, even those outside the traditional NATO framework.
In the longer term, the deal may also pave the way for more extensive military-technical cooperation between the two countries. Ireland’s growing interest in modern defense platforms could see further acquisitions or collaboration in areas like surveillance, cyber defense, or maritime security.
The $46 million Javelin sale represents more than just a transfer of hardware—it reflects a broader shift in Ireland’s defense outlook and an affirmation of its ties with the United States. As Europe adapts to new security realities, even traditionally neutral countries like Ireland are reassessing their capabilities and seeking proven solutions to modern threats.
