India is advancing its push for self-reliance in defense with a joint venture to produce the HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground munition domestically. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defense (SED) have signed an agreement to locally manufacture the Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER).
The HAMMER system, known for its combat-proven accuracy and compatibility with multiple aircraft platforms, features a modular configuration that enables adaptable mission deployment—making it highly valued by armed forces worldwide.
The new partnership will oversee complete lifecycle management for the Indian Air Force and Navy, including localization of sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical components. BEL will manage final assembly, testing, and quality assurance. Indigenization levels are expected to reach nearly 60% in the coming years, reducing foreign dependence and strengthening domestic supply chains.
The deal follows a memorandum of understanding signed at Aero India 2025 and reinforces deepening Indo-French defense industrial cooperation.
The agreement aligns with India’s broader defense manufacturing momentum involving both public and private firms. Recently, VEM Technologies delivered the first center-fuselage assembly for the Tejas MK-1A to HAL—marking a milestone in private-sector aerospace production. Similarly, Reliance Defence secured a major deal with Germany’s Diehl Defence to build the Vulcano 155mm precision-guided artillery ammunition locally.
India is also expanding supporting infrastructure. Axiscades Aerospace & Technologies has opened a missile-test bench facility in Devanahalli to support high-volume production and integration under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
