BEL and Safran Team Up to Produce Smart HAMMER Weapon in India, Boosting Self-Reliance

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In a significant move towards self-reliance, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has partnered with Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) to manufacture the HAMMER smart weapon in India. The joint venture cooperation agreement (JVCA) signed on Monday marks a major milestone in the country's defence production journey. The HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground weapon, used by the Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets during the 2023 military operation against Pakistan, will now be produced locally. The agreement, which reaffirms the intent expressed in a previous MoU, will see the establishment of a 50:50 joint venture company in India. The defence ministry has stated that the localisation of manufacturing, supply, and maintenance of HAMMER will meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and Navy. The indigenisation level is expected to increase up to 60%, with key sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical parts being manufactured domestically. The HAMMER smart weapon, capable of engaging ground targets from a range of up to 60km, has been praised for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable for multiple platforms. BEL's CEO, Manoj Jain, and SED's executive vice president, Alexandre Ziegler, signed the JVCA in the presence of defence officials. This partnership underscores BEL's commitment to strengthening India's defence industrial base and leverages SED's expertise in manufacturing smart precision-guided air-to-ground weapons. The phased transfer of production will see BEL lead the final assembly, testing, and quality assurance.