Report: India moves to localize French smart munitions

Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and French defense technology firm Safran Electronics & Defense announced a strategic partnership on February 11 to establish a joint venture for the production, customization, sales, and maintenance of HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapons in India.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by K.V. Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing) at BEL, and Alexandre Ziegler, Executive Vice President of Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of BEL, and Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense. Senior executives from both companies attended the signing ceremony.

The joint venture is expected to boost India’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities, aligning with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative by reducing dependency on imports. According to BEL Chairman Manoj Jain, the collaboration will localize HAMMER production, facilitate the development of advanced variants, and create new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India’s defense sector.

“The proposed joint venture between BEL and Safran Electronics & Defense will be a major step toward strengthening India’s capabilities in defense manufacturing and achieving self-reliance in advanced weapon systems. It will localize HAMMER production, enable the development of future variants and support the Government of India‘s Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative by reducing import dependence. The collaboration will facilitate technology transfer, create opportunities for Indian industries, especially SMEs and position India as a global hub for smart ammunition production,” said Jain.

Technology Transfer and Center of Excellence

As part of the agreement, BEL and Safran plan to establish a Center of Excellence focused on enhancing India’s defense capabilities. The center will drive joint industrial activities in manufacturing, engineering, and operational maintenance, including repairs and overhauls of optronics and navigation equipment for the Indian armed forces.

“This joint venture partnership with BEL marks an important milestone for Safran Electronics & Defense. By creating this center of excellence combining the best of Safran with the best of BEL in smart precision guided munitions, we are supporting the Government’s Make in India programme, as well as strengthening both India’s sovereign defense capabilities and Safran’s industrial presence in India,” said Safran CEO Franck Saudo.

Safran will transfer key technologies to India in a phased manner, with BEL overseeing final assembly, testing, and quality assurance of the HAMMER missile system. The production facility is expected to become a crucial hub for advanced smart munitions, further solidifying India’s position as a leading manufacturer in the global defense sector.

HAMMER is a combat-proven, precision-guided munition known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it suitable for deployment on multiple platforms, including the Rafale and the LCA Tejas. The missile system is equipped with advanced targeting capabilities, ensuring effective engagement of enemy targets with minimal collateral damage.