The HAMMER missile joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics & Defense marks a decisive shift in India’s defence manufacturing strategy. India has made an important move towards becoming self-sufficient in Defence by way of a joint venture, where Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and Safran Electronics Defence (Safran) have agreed to create an equal partnership to manufacture the HAMMER Precision Guided Missile in India. This agreement represents a shift from India being an importer of arms to becoming a collaborative co-producer of advanced weapon systems.
Officials announced this after the 6th Annual Defence Dialogue between India and France in Bengaluru, which Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart attended. This represents one of many efforts to improve long-term strategic and defence relations between India and France.
50:50 joint venture with BEL and SafranElectronics Defence. Joint Venture to establish facilities for the manufacture, supply, maintenance, and support of the HAMMER precision-guided missile for the Indian Army (IAF/Navy).
BEL and Safran also entered into a Master Production Agreement (MPA), which addresses the transfer of the manufacturing capability to India. However, the joint venture will not be operational until both parties have obtained their respective government approvals.
The deal is based on a phased process of indigenising the components and manufacturing them locally over time. Initially, imported components will be used in production, while subsequently increasing amounts of sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanics will all be produced locally to develop local skill sets, thereby reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
HAMMER Missile Capabilities and Platform Compatibility
HAMMER stands for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range, a precision-guided air-to-ground munition system of French origin designed to fill the void between conventional munitions (bombs) and cruise missiles.
The elements of the HAMMER system are:
1) High precision and combat-proven.
2) Modular design which supports multiple types of Aircraft.
3) Support for Bombs weighing between 125Kg and 1,000 kg.
HAMMER missiles are designed to work with the Rafale fighter jets that are entering service with India and are also expected to work with the Tejas (LCA) fighter jets that are being developed as indigenous to India.
Technology Transfer (To India) & Centre of Excellence.
The joint venture will create a Centre of Excellence for manufacturing and supporting the guidance kit (which provides the precision guidance capability) for HAMMER munitions.
By facilitating the transfer of technology, skill enhancement, and local production capabilities for defence equipment, the project should promote India’s native defence sector. Safran currently provides numerous critical components to India’s armed forces, including HAMMER missiles and precision navigation systems.
Strategic Impact of the HAMMER Missile Joint Venture on Make in India
The arrangement embodies India’s broader drive for indigenous production through its defence sector’s policies for indigenous manufacturing. Domestically manufactured products will lessen reliance on foreign products and enhance readiness and preparedness for employment.
In addition, the collaboration reinforces the growing defence relationship between India and France, which has expanded significantly in recent years through large projects involving missiles, aircraft, and submarines.
Most importantly, the HAMMER joint venture signals a fundamental shift in India’s foreign posture, as India moves from importing advanced weapon systems to developing its own production capabilities.
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