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Bharat Electronics and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence have inked a joint venture to manufacture the cutting-edge Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) precision-guided air-to-ground weapon right here in India.
BEL’s shares soared on the back of this development.
In simple terms, HAMMER is a flexible, customisable long-range weapon system designed to adapt quickly for different missions and deliver precise strikes from far away.
Breaking it down: India’s Rafale fighter jets are armed with HAMMER, a precise air-to-ground weapon that was used during a four-day clash with Pakistan in May under Operation Sindoor.
The new joint venture is a big boost for Make in India. It will create a 50:50 company in India that will locally build, supply, and support HAMMER weapons for both the Indian Air Force and the Navy.
Why it matters: this move will localise the manufacturing, supply, and upkeep of HAMMER weapons to fully support the Indian Air Force and Navy’s operational needs.
Indigenisation will steadily grow to nearly 60%, with crucial sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical parts built in India. The production shift will roll out in phases, with BEL spearheading the final assembly, testing, and quality checks, giving India stronger control over a key combat capability.
