Overview
- India’s Defence Ministry said the agreement was signed in New Delhi on Nov. 24 to manufacture, supply and maintain HAMMER for the Air Force and Navy.
- The venture will be incorporated in India as a private limited company with equal shareholding by Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics & Defence.
- BEL will lead final assembly, testing and quality assurance as production responsibilities shift to India in stages.
- Indigenisation is planned to reach roughly 60% with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical components produced domestically.
- HAMMER is a combat-proven GPS/INS-guided standoff weapon compatible with Rafale and Tejas, with reported IAF use during Operation Sindoor boosting demand for local manufacture.