Source: TP
Subject: Defence
Context: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence have signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement to manufacture the HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground weapon system in India.
About HAMMER Precision Weapon System:
What it is?
- The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a smart, precision-guided, air-to-ground weapon designed to strike hardened targets with high accuracy from stand-off ranges.
Developed by: Originally developed by Safran (Sagem), France, and now set for joint manufacturing with BEL in India.
Aim: To provide the IAF and Navy with a combat-proven, modular, precision weapon suitable for mountainous warfare, quick deployment, and integration with aircraft like Rafale and Tejas.
Key Features of HAMMER:
- Modular Architecture: Features a guidance kit + range-extension kit that can be fitted onto multiple types of general-purpose bombs, enhancing flexibility across missions.
- High Accuracy Precision Strike: Uses GPS/INS, infrared, and laser-guided options, enabling accurate strikes on bunkers, hardened shelters, airstrips, and enemy infrastructure.
- Extended Stand-Off Range: Can hit targets up to 70 km, enabling aircraft to strike without entering high-risk airspace—crucial for operations in contested zones.
- High Agility & Manoeuvrability: Optimised for mountain warfare (e.g., Ladakh), allowing precision strikes even in complex topography and high-altitude environments.
- Platform Compatibility: Integrated with Rafale, and to be integrated with LCA Tejas, providing flexibility across Air Force and Navy combat platforms.
- Joint Manufacturing & Indigenous Capability: The BEL–Safran JV will achieve 60% localisation, with BEL leading final assembly, testing, and quality assurance, reducing foreign dependence.
Significance:
- Boost to ‘Make in India’ Defence Manufacturing: Local production strengthens India’s self-reliance in advanced, high-precision weapon systems and supports export potential.
- Enhances Air Force Strike Capability: Provides India with a versatile, precision strike weapon capable of neutralising hardened targets — essential for operational readiness against adversaries.
- Faster, Cost-Effective Availability: Indigenous manufacturing avoids delays associated with emergency imports and reduces long-term procurement costs.
