India, France to jointly manufacture HAMMER air-to-ground weapons

India had ordered munition to equip Rafales amid 2020 China standoff.

The all-weather weapon is insensitive to jamming and can be launched from low altitude over rough terrains. (Image: Wikipedia)

India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and French firm Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) Monday signed a joint venture cooperation agreement (JVCA) for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) smart precision Guided air-to-ground weapons in India.

The development is crucial because India previously ordered this weapon system, along with other armaments, from France to equip its Rafale fighter jets through the emergency procurement route in 2020 during standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. There were subsequent plans to procure more of this weapon system to arm the Rafale jets and the indigenously-made Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.

Also known as a glide bomb, HAMMER precision-guided munitions have a range of up to 70 km and can be fitted to standard bombs of 250kg, 500kg, 1,000kg weights.

The all-weather weapon is insensitive to jamming and can be launched from low altitude over rough terrains. What makes it an effective weapon is that it is difficult to intercept and can penetrate fortified structures.

HAMMER is a precision-guided weapon system known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable for multiple platforms.

According to a Defence Ministry statement, the agreement formalises the intent expressed in the pact signed between BEL and SED during Aero India on February 11 this year, reaffirming the willingness of both sides to incorporate a potential joint venture company in India.

“The JVC shall be formed as a private limited company with 50:50 shareholding. It will localise the manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER to meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy,” the statement said. It said the indigenisation level will progressively increase up to 60 per cent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.

Amrita Nayak Dutta

Amrita Nayak Dutta writes on defence and national security as part of the national bureau of The Indian Express. In the past, Amrita has extensively reported on the media industry and broadcasting matters, urban affairs, bureaucracy and government policies. In the last 14 years of her career, she has worked in newspapers as well as in the online media space and is well versed with the functioning of both newsrooms. Amrita has worked in the northeast, Mumbai and Delhi. She has travelled extensively across the country, including in far-flung border areas, to bring detailed reports from the ground and has written investigative reports on media and defence. She has been working for The Indian Express since January 2023. ... Read More

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