BEL–Safran Joint Venture Set to Manufacture HAMMER Missiles in India

India and France Launch JV to Manufacture HAMMER Missile Domestically

BEL–Safran Partnership to Manufacture HAMMER Missiles in India

In a major milestone for indigenous defence manufacturing, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) to locally produce the Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) precision-guided air-to-ground weapon system. This agreement establishes a 50:50 joint private limited company, enabling end-to-end production, supply, and long-term maintenance of HAMMER missiles for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy’s Rafale fleet. The initiative aligns directly with India’s Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, strengthening domestic capacity for advanced smart munitions.

The HAMMER missile India programme marks a decisive step towards reducing dependency on imported precision weapons, while enhancing operational readiness across India’s rapidly modernising air combat units.

HAMMER: A Proven Precision Weapon with Modular Design and Mountain Warfare Agility

The HAMMER system is a combat-proven, all-weather smart munition known for its modularity, reliability, and deployment versatility. Its design supports multiple standard bomb configurations—125 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg—making it suitable for different operational needs and aircraft platforms. Besides Rafale, the munition is also adaptable to India’s LCA Tejas, and could be integrated with aircraft such as Mirage 2000 and Jaguar in the future.

With an operational range of around 70 km, HAMMER offers high accuracy, rapid response capability, and remarkable agility in mountainous terrain such as Ladakh. It features fire-and-forget guidance, resistance to GPS-denied environments, and the advantage of customised guidance and range-extension kits fitted onto standard bombs. Initially procured because the Rafale lacked an indigenous short-range precision strike weapon, it now serves as a vital component of India’s tactical strike profile.

Indigenisation Roadmap Targets 60 Percent Local Content

The BEL–Safran joint venture aims to achieve up to 60 percent indigenisation, focusing on technology transfer and phased localisation of critical sub-assemblies, mechanical structures, and electronic components. BEL will take the lead in final assembly, testing, and quality assurance, ensuring that India develops a robust ecosystem for smart munition production.

This localisation effort will not only reduce India’s import bill but also build a sustained domestic supply chain for advanced air-launched weapons. The JV strengthens India’s strategic autonomy by combining French expertise with India’s rapidly expanding defence industrial capabilities.

Combat Deployment and Strategic Role in Indian Air Operations

The HAMMER missile is already operational with the IAF’s Rafale fleet and played a supporting role during Operation Sindoor, where it complemented the SCALP missile for precision strikes against terror infrastructure. Its ability to deliver target-specific, low-collateral-damage attacks has enhanced India’s ability to respond to threats swiftly and decisively.

As the weapon system becomes locally manufactured, its potential integration with multiple IAF platforms further reinforces the strategic value of the HAMMER missile India manufacturing programme.

A Milestone in India-France Defence Collaboration

The JV announcement follows a series of agreements signed during Aero India 2025, cementing a deepening defence partnership between India and France. With both nations emphasising joint production, technology exchange, and industrial cooperation, the HAMMER manufacturing initiative emerges as one of the most significant advancements in bilateral military collaboration.

As India accelerates efforts to become a global hub for smart munitions, the BEL–Safran venture stands as a major pillar supporting the nation’s long-term defence modernisation and strategic independence.