Can Local Javelin Production Strengthen Lockheed Martin in India?

Lockheed Martin LMT is deepening its presence in India through strategic partnerships aimed at expanding local defense manufacturing and strengthening supply-chain capabilities. The company, through the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) with RTX Corporation (RTX), recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to explore co-production of the Javelin All Up Round (AUR) in India.

Per the agreement, Tata Advanced Systems has been selected as the JJV’s prime partner for future in-country co-production efforts. The companies will explore establishing a final assembly and integration facility for the Javelin AUR and component production capabilities in India. Sub-assembly kits will be produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Troy, AL, while guidance electronics units will be manufactured at RTX’s Tucson, AZ, facility before being shipped to India for final assembly and integration.

The initiative should strengthen Lockheed Martin’s relationship with India while expanding the Javelin supply chain and supporting greater manufacturing capacity. Local production is also expected to improve supply-chain resilience and enable faster fielding and sustained readiness for partner nations in the Indo-Pacific.

The partnership aligns with India’s push to strengthen its domestic defense industrial base and increase self-reliance. For Lockheed Martin, deeper integration with India’s defense ecosystem could create opportunities for future production and technology partnerships.

With its established Javelin capabilities and expanding industrial partnerships in India, Lockheed Martin is well-positioned to capitalize on rising defense requirements while strengthening its long-term presence in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

Aerospace Stocks to Keep on the Radar

Other aerospace and defense companies expanding their presence in India are discussed below:

RTX Corporation RTX: RTX is strengthening its position in India through partnerships spanning defense systems, aircraft components and manufacturing. Its collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems on Javelin co-production should expand its local industrial footprint while supporting India’s defense modernization efforts.

Airbus EADSY: Airbus is expanding its presence in India with a new technology center in Bengaluru. The 880,000-square-foot facility will support engineering, digital, customer services and procurement activities, strengthening the company’s operations in India and supporting its long-term growth in the country.

The Zacks Rundown for LMT

Shares of LMT have risen 14.4% in the past year against the industry’s 7% decline.

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The company shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Earnings being 16.34X compared with its industry’s average of 30.76X.

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LMT’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved north over the past 60 days.

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LMT stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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