BEL, French firm sign MoU for production of ‘HAMMER’ weaponry

Navaratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defense (SED), France, have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapon in India, marking a momentous moment for the ‘Make in India’ initiative. 

The JVCA was signed by Manoj Jain, CMD, BEL, and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of Global Defense Business Unit, Safran Electronics and Defense.

This JVCA formalises the intent expressed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between BEL and SED on February 11, 2025, during Aero India.

The agreement confirms the two parties’ willingness to incorporate a potential Joint Venture Company (JVC) in India.

The JVC shall be formed as a private limited company with 50:50 shareholding, which will localise the manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER to meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

The indigenisation level will progressively increase with key subassemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.

The transfer of production will happen in a phased manner, with BEL leading final assembly, testing and quality assurance.

This agreement underscores BEL’s commitment to strengthening India’s defence industrial base and aims at leveraging SED’s extensive experience in manufacturing of smart precision guided air-to-ground weaponry.

HAMMER is a combat-proven, precision-guided weapon system known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it adaptable for multiple platforms, including the Rafale and LCA Tejas.