Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France's Safran Electronics and Defense (SED) signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement on November 24, 2025 in New Delhi, advancing a 50:50 equal-share private limited company to manufacture HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground weapons in India. The agreement builds on an MoU signed at Aero India in February 2025, with BEL CMD Manoj Jain and SED Global Defence Business Unit Head Alexandre Ziegler representing the partners. HAMMER is a combat-proven French precision air-to-ground weapon system — originally developed for France's Rafale fleet — featuring GPS/INS guidance, modular warhead and propulsion configurations, and compatibility with multiple aircraft including the Rafale and India's LCA Tejas. The proposed joint venture targets an indigenisation level of up to 60%, involving local manufacturing of critical sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical parts. The new entity will localise manufacturing, supply, and maintenance of HAMMER munitions for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. This is significant for India's defence self-reliance under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' frameworks — HAMMER becomes the latest in a series of Indian co-production arrangements for advanced defence systems. India and France have a Strategic Partnership (since 1998) and a Defence Industrial Roadmap. HAMMER manufacturing in India strengthens the IAF and Navy's precision strike capability and reduces dependence on foreign imports.
BEL–Safran JV for HAMMER Precision-Guided Munitions: India–France Defence Partnership Deepens Under 'Make in India'
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France's Safran Electronics and Defense (SED) signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement on November 24, 2025 in New Delhi, advancing a 50:50 equal-share private limited company to manufacture HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground weapons in India. The agreement builds on an MoU signed at Aero India in February 2025. HAMMER is a combat-proven French precision air-to-ground weapon system originally developed for France's Rafale fleet, featuring GPS/INS guidance and compatibility with the Rafale and India's LCA Tejas. The proposed joint venture targets an indigenisation level of up to 60%, with local manufacturing of critical sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical parts. The new entity will localise manufacturing, supply, and maintenance of HAMMER munitions for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. This is significant for India's defence self-reliance under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' frameworks. India and France have a Strategic Partnership (since 1998) and a Defence Industrial Roadmap.
Key facts
- BEL and France's Safran signed a 50:50 JV to manufacture HAMMER air-to-ground munitions in India.
- HAMMER is a combat-proven GPS/INS-guided precision weapon originally developed for the Rafale fleet.
- The JV targets up to 60% indigenisation of HAMMER components under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- The agreement builds on an MoU signed at Aero India in February 2025.
- The JV will supply HAMMER munitions to both the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
- India and France share a Strategic Partnership since 1998 with a Defence Industrial Roadmap.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2016 India's foreign trade policy aligned with Make in India — This PYQ discusses alignment of trade policy with Make in India, directly relevant to BEL-Safran JV manufacturing HAMMER munitions under Make in India framework.
Mains angle
Q: Evaluate the BEL-Safran Joint Venture for manufacturing HAMMER precision-guided munitions in India and its significance for India-France defence industrial cooperation under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Answer (50 words):
Bharat Electronics Limited and France's Safran signed a 50:50 JV on November 24-25, 2025, to manufacture HAMMER precision air-to-ground weapons in India targeting 60% indigenisation. Compatible with Rafale and LCA Tejas aircraft, it strengthens IAF and Navy strike capabilities while advancing the India-France strategic defence partnership established since 1998.
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In which year did BEL and Safran formalise their joint venture agreement to manufacture HAMMER precision-guided weapons in India?
Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics & Defence signed the joint venture agreement in November 2025. The proposed company was to be a 50:50 private limited joint venture for local manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER weapons for Indian defence requirements. Therefore, 2025 is the correct year.
Source: BEL Press Release / BusinessToday / The Week / Airforce-Technology.com / IDSA / Evertiq / Aviation S
Frequently asked questions
When and where was the BEL–Safran JV agreement for HAMMER munitions signed?
The BEL–Safran Joint Venture Company (JVC) Agreement was signed on November 24–25, 2025 in New Delhi. It was signed by BEL CMD Manoj Jain and Safran Electronics and Defense Global Defence Business Unit Head Alexandre Ziegler.
What does HAMMER stand for and what type of weapon is it?
HAMMER stands for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range. It is a combat-proven, GPS/INS-guided smart precision air-to-ground weapon originally developed by Safran for the French Rafale fighter fleet. It can be launched from aircraft and guide itself to targets with high precision.
What is the equity structure of the BEL–Safran JV and what is its indigenisation target?
The BEL–Safran JV is structured as a 50:50 equal-share private limited company. The joint venture targets up to 60% indigenisation of HAMMER components under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) defence initiative.
What is the history of India-France defence cooperation leading up to this JV?
India and France have shared a Strategic Partnership since 1998 and a Defence Industrial Roadmap. The BEL–Safran JV builds on an MoU signed at Aero India in February 2025. France has been a key defence partner supplying Rafale jets to the Indian Air Force and is deepening ties under Make in India.
Which Indian armed forces will be supplied HAMMER munitions by this JV?
The BEL–Safran JV will supply HAMMER precision-guided munitions to both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. This makes the JV strategically significant for India's multi-service air-to-ground precision strike capabilities.
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