Already in production for 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and the Mechanised Infantry, Javelin has now also been selected to equip British Army Armoured Infantry (AI) and Formation Reconnaissance (FR) forces.

Javelin is the most advanced medium-range anti-tank missile system in the world. Each system is light enough to be easily carried by two men and can be set up, locked onto its target and fired in moments.

Once launched the weapon uses sensitive electronic guidance systems to guide itself towards its target, allowing the user time to reload or move position. Javelin also offers a variety of different attack modes - in top attack it will climb to more than one hundred feet above the target, coming straight down on top of it for maximum effect.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Bach said: "Javelin is already in service with the US Army and has proved its worth in recent operations in Iraq. It can be moved quickly around the battlefield but also has enough power to take out the most heavily protected tanks and armoured vehicles.

"We agreed a contract to provide the weapon to 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and the Mechanised Infantry last year and have now agreed an additional purchase for other infantry and reconnaissance units, ensuring they are equipped with the very best weaponry available.

"It took less than a year to go from formulating the requirement to signing the contract - a contract which promises to deliver an exceptional combination of capability and value-for-money. This is a prime example of the benefits that SMART acquisition can bring.

I am delighted the purchase will help to sustain some 200 jobs around the UK."

The Javelin system is expected to be with 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade from 2005 and the Mechanised Infantry Armoured Infantry and Formation Reconnaissance from 2007.