Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is deepening its strategic presence in India through a new memorandum of understanding focused on local defense manufacturing and supply-chain expansion.
The agreement, forged through the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) with RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX), designates Tata Advanced Systems Limited as the prime partner for future in-country Javelin co-production efforts.
Under the terms of the deal, the companies will explore establishing a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin All Up Round in India, alongside component production capabilities.
Sub-assembly kits will be produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, AL, with guidance electronics units manufactured at RTX’s Tucson, AZ, facility before shipment to India for final integration.
The initiative is designed to expand the Javelin supply chain, improve resilience, and enable faster fielding and sustained readiness for partner nations across the Indo-Pacific region.
The partnership aligns closely with India’s broader push to strengthen its domestic defense industrial base and reduce reliance on fully imported military systems.
For Lockheed Martin, deeper integration with India’s defense ecosystem opens potential avenues for future production arrangements and longer-term technology partnerships in a high-growth market.
RTX is also strengthening its own position in India through a range of partnerships spanning defense systems, aircraft components, and advanced manufacturing, with the Javelin co-production deal further expanding its local industrial footprint.
Airbus (OTC: EADSY) is separately expanding in India with a new 880,000-square-foot technology center in Bengaluru, supporting engineering, digital, customer services, and procurement activities across the region.
Shares of LMT have risen 14.4% over the past year, outperforming the broader industry, which declined 7% over the same period.
The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 16.34X, a notable discount compared to its industry average of 30.76X, according to Zacks Investment Research.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LMT’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved higher over the past 60 days, reflecting improving sentiment around the company’s growth outlook.
LMT currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3, designated as a Hold, as analysts continue to monitor the company’s expanding international defense partnerships and production strategy.
