Strengthening Defence: BEL and Safran's Joint Venture for HAMMER Weapons

Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics & Defence's Historic Agreement

In a significant development for India's defence sector, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defence (SED), France, have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) in New Delhi. This collaboration aims to locally produce the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) smart precision-guided air-to-ground weapon in India. This agreement represents a crucial milestone in India's pursuit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and aligns with the government's long-term strategic goals under the Make-in-India initiative.

Understanding the HAMMER Weapon System

The HAMMER weapon system is a combat-proven, modular, and highly accurate air-to-ground precision-guided munition developed by Safran Electronics & Defence. It is adaptable for various fighter aircraft, including the Rafale and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The key features of HAMMER include:

• Modular design: Allows for flexible mission configurations.
• Extended range: Ensures pin-point accuracy.
• High reliability: Performs well in diverse combat conditions.

These features make HAMMER a vital asset in enhancing India's precision-strike capabilities.

Joint Venture Structure and Objectives

The joint venture will be registered as a private limited company, with equal (50:50) shareholding between BEL and Safran. The objectives of the JV include:

• Manufacturing, supplying, and maintaining HAMMER weapons within India.
• Serving the operational needs of both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
• Beginning with phased transfer of production.
• Achieving up to 60% indigenisation, including local manufacturing of sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical parts.

BEL will oversee the final assembly, quality control, and testing phases of production, ensuring that all processes align with Indian standards and operational requirements.

Timeline and Strategic Milestones

The intent to collaborate was first formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Aero India 2025 on 11 February 2025. With the current JVCA, the two companies reaffirm their commitment to establishing a robust industrial base for guided weapons in India. The transfer of technology and production ramp-up will occur in multiple phases, with localisation efforts increasing over time. This phased strategy is designed to ensure skill transfer, local supplier development, and capability building within India's defence ecosystem.

India-France Defence Cooperation: A Trusted Partnership

India and France have fostered a strong defence relationship over the decades, built on mutual trust and strategic alignment. From Rafale fighter jets to Scorpene-class submarines, the two nations have engaged in numerous high-value defence partnerships. The HAMMER joint venture signifies a deepening of this collaboration—bringing not only equipment but also technology, skills, and production capacity to Indian soil.