New Delhi: In a major boost to domestic defence manufacturing, state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence (SED) have signed a joint venture agreement to build the HAMMER air-to-ground smart weapon system in India. The pact formalises the intent first outlined in their Aero India 2025 MoU.
The new entity will be established as a 50:50 private limited company in India, the Defence Ministry confirmed, and will oversee manufacturing, supply, servicing, and long-term support of HAMMER systems for the Indian Air Force’s Rafale fleet and the Navy’s Rafale-M fighters.
In a major boost to #MakeinIndia & #AatmanirbharDefence
Bharat Electronics Limited (#BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defence (#SED), #France have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (#JVCA) for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (#HAMMER)… pic.twitter.com/ucd9Y8gUiM
— Defence Production India (@DefProdnIndia) November 24, 2025
Boost to Self-Reliance in Defence
The joint venture aims to gradually increase Indian-made content to 60%, localising sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical components. Production and testing will follow a phased transfer of technology, with BEL handling final assembly and quality assurance.
Why HAMMER Matters
HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) converts standard bombs into precision-guided strike weapons, capable of destroying fortified targets from a safe distance. Initially excluded from the Rafale purchase deal in 2016 due to pricing, the HAMMER was later urgently acquired by the IAF under emergency provisions amid heightened tensions with China.
While the French system typically operates with the Talios targeting pod, the IAF opted for the Israeli Litening pod to maintain sensor standardisation and reduce costs.
🚨 भारत में बनेगा #HAMMER
📍BEL और फ्रांस की Safran ने भारत में HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) स्मार्ट प्रिसिजन गाइडेड एयर-टू-ग्राउंड वेपन के उत्पादन के लिए जॉइंट वेंचर पर हस्ताक्षर किए।🔹 प्रमुख खूबियाँ:
• 70–150 km तक की एक्सटेंडेड रेंज
• GPS/INS +… pic.twitter.com/0GLE6t1fvE— Madhurendra kumar मधुरेन्द्र कुमार (@Madhurendra13) November 24, 2025
Strengthening Strategic India–France Defence Links
The joint venture marks another step forward in Indo-French defence collaboration, which already includes Rafale fighter jets, submarine cooperation, and advanced aerospace partnerships.
