India’s Make in India defence push has received a major boost with the signing of a joint venture cooperation agreement between Bharat Electronics Limited and France’s Safran Electronics and Defence for the production of the Hammer smart precision-guided weapon system in India. This agreement is not just about manufacturing a missile. It reflects India’s long-term plan to move from being a major arms importer to becoming a country that builds, maintains and upgrades advanced weapon systems on its own soil.
The deal involves setting up a Joint Venture Company that will be registered as a private limited company with equal ownership by BEL and Safran. As stated in the agreement, “The JVC shall be formed as a private limited company with 50:50 shareholding. It will localise the manufacturing, supply and maintenance of Hammer to meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.”
This move places India on a path where a critical air-to-ground strike weapon will be produced domestically instead of being fully imported. It aligns directly with the Make in India vision of building indigenous defence capability while reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.
What is the Hammer weapon system
The Hammer, also known as Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range, is a smart air-to-surface weapon system developed by Safran. It is designed to convert conventional bombs into precision-guided munitions capable of striking high-value targets with great accuracy.
The system uses a combination of GPS, inertial navigation systems and infrared or laser guidance. This allows it to perform deep strike missions as well as close air support roles. Depending on the variant, it can reach targets up to 70 kilometres away. It supports multiple warhead sizes including 125 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg and 1,000 kg.
Safran has highlighted that Hammer has shown a 99 per cent success rate in combat and can engage moving targets due to its fire-and-forget capability. It can be released from low altitudes and uneven terrain, making it suitable for complex battlefield conditions.
The weapon system has seen combat use since 2008, beginning in Afghanistan and later in conflict zones like Mali, Libya and Syria. Several NATO-aligned nations have used it, and Ukraine has also deployed Hammer systems supplied by France since 2024.
India’s experience with Hammer in real operations
India first acquired Hammer weapons in 2020 through an emergency procurement route during the tense military standoff with China following the Galwan clash. At that time, the system was not part of the original 2016 Rafale deal as cost concerns had led India to opt for Israeli Spice 2000 munitions instead.
However, the Hammer proved its worth when it was used during Operation Sindoor. During this operation, Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes against terrorist camps across the border in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and parts of Pakistan. Rafale fighter jets equipped with Hammer munitions were used to hit fortified targets including terror infrastructure linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Defence experts noted that the system’s resistance to electronic jamming and its ability to operate autonomously made it a preferred choice for these missions. Its precision and low-altitude launch capability helped ensure minimal collateral damage while destroying heavily guarded structures.
Why local production matters
The new deal allows India to manufacture Hammer systems within the country instead of importing them fully assembled. This reduces long-term costs and ensures steady availability during conflict situations. It also improves maintenance and upgrade capabilities, since repair and servicing can now take place locally.
As part of the agreement, indigenisation will gradually rise to 60 per cent. Key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts will be manufactured in India. BEL will take the lead in final assembly, testing and quality assurance. Over time, this will create a domestic ecosystem for precision-guided weapon production and skilled job creation.
This shift also increases strategic autonomy. In times of war or diplomatic tension, reliance on foreign suppliers can become a weak point. Producing such systems locally strengthens India’s operational independence.
A larger Indo-French defence partnership
The Hammer joint venture is not an isolated deal. It is part of a broader and growing defence relationship between India and France. Earlier this year, both countries signed an agreement for the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy, a deal valued at over Rs 63,000 crore.
India is also in advanced discussions to procure three additional Scorpene submarines which will be built in collaboration between Mazagon Dock Limited and France’s Naval Group. Another major plan involves co-developing a powerful jet engine for India’s future fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Together, these projects point to a strategic partnership focused on technology sharing, joint production and long-term cooperation rather than simple buyer-seller relationships.
What this means for Make in India
The Hammer manufacturing deal fits directly into the goals of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. It promotes domestic production of critical defence systems, increases employment, improves technical expertise and strengthens national security.
Instead of remaining dependent on foreign imports for advanced munitions, India is now taking control of the production chain. This also helps in developing future indigenous weapon systems based on local innovation and experience gained from such collaborations.
It signals that India is serious about modernising its defence forces while building self-reliance. The Hammer deal also demonstrates that global defence firms are willing to trust India as a manufacturing partner, not just a customer.
A strategic step forward
By bringing Hammer manufacturing to Indian soil, the country has taken a clear step towards becoming a major defence manufacturing hub. It ensures that precision strike capability remains strong, affordable and quickly deployable in future conflicts.
This partnership strengthens India’s air power, supports industrial growth and reinforces the central promise of Make in India. It is not just a contract for weapons. It is a strategic move towards building a defence ecosystem that is modern, resilient and truly self-reliant.
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