Rafale’s most lethal weapon HAMMER to be manufactured in India as French firm inks pact with…
The production transfer will happen in phases, with BEL leading final assembly, testing and quality assurance, the ministry said.
India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics and Defense (SED) have joined hands for the production of High Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) precision guided weapon system in India, the defense ministry said.
What is HAMMER?
HAMMER is a combat-proven precision-guided weapon system known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable to multiple platforms including Rafale and light combat aircraft Tejas. The level of localization will gradually increase up to 60 percent with local production of main sub-assemblies, electronic and mechanical parts. The production transfer will happen in phases, with BEL leading final assembly, testing and quality assurance, the ministry said.
Giving a major impetus to ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics and Defense (SED) have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) for the production of highly agile modular munitions, extended range (HAMMER) smart, precision-guided air-to-surface weapons. India,” the ministry said in a statement.
The JVCA was signed by BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain and HIA Deputy Chairman Alexandre Ziegler in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar and HIA Chief Executive Olivier Andries in New Delhi.
BEL and France’s Safran Elektronik and Defense signed a JVC Agreement today for the production of HAMMER Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Surface Weapon in India, marking an important moment for the ‘Make in India’ initiative. @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @DefProdnIndia @SAFFRON pic.twitter.com/43C6zoCyyI
— Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) (@BEL_CorpCom) 24 November 2025
Monday’s agreement formalizes the intention expressed in the memorandum of understanding signed between BEL and SED during Aero India on February 11 and reaffirms the willingness of both parties to potentially set up a Joint Venture Company (JVC) in India, the ministry statement said.
JVC will be established as a private limited company with 50:50 shares. It was stated that HAMMER will localize production, supply and maintenance to meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
