France’s Ministry of Armed Forces has announced plans to accelerate production of the AASM “Hammer” family of precision-guided bombs, citing their effectiveness in Ukraine.
The announcement was published on the ministry’s official website.
An agreement is expected to be signed by the end of July with Safran, the main manufacturer of guidance kits for U.S.-made Mk.80-series bombs.
The government plans to invest €128 million to help scale up production.
Safran exceeded its 2024 production target by nearly 40%, delivering 830 AASM kits instead of the planned 600. Under existing plans, the company is set to produce 1,200 units in 2025. However, with the new investment and rising demand, actual output may surpass that figure.
While Safran manufactures the guidance systems, bomb bodies are produced by SAMP and filled with explosives by Eurenco.
One of the key features of the AASM system is its modularity. The bombs are available in three variants based on their guidance package:
- GPS only
- GPS + semi-active laser homing
- GPS + infrared seeker
To extend range, the tail section is fitted with a rocket booster, allowing targets to be struck from up to 80 kilometers away. When launched from low altitude, range falls to around 20–25 kilometers — a tradeoff that reduces exposure for the launch aircraft.
Safran has also introduced the AASM Hammer XLR, an extended-range version powered by a turbojet engine. When launched from high altitude, it can strike targets at distances of 150 to 200 kilometers.
Despite this, the standard AASM variant has proven highly effective in Ukraine. In early June, Ukrainian tactical aircraft used the bomb in a precision strike against Russian infantry positions and ammunition depots in the south.
The explosion triggered secondary detonations in a nearby storage site.
