French company Safran Electronics & Defense and Bharat Electronics Ltd, an Indian government-owned company, have announced a joint venture to manufacture Safran’s smart precision-guided air-to-ground weapon in India.
According to their memorandum of understanding announced Tuesday, the partnership will cover the sale, maintenance and customization of the French firm’s HAMMER weapon. HAMMER, which stands for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range, is a modular, all-weather air-to-surface standoff weapon that can be deployed on various platforms.
To implement the joint venture, Safran will transfer expertise in phases, allowing Bharat Electronics to acquire production capabilities in final assembly, testing and quality control. The strategic partnership, which supports the Indian government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” self-reliant campaign, aims to establish a modern production facility, positioning the country as a hub for manufacturing advanced smart weapons.
Beyond the HAMMER initiative, both parties plan to create a center of excellence to enhance multiple areas of India’s defense sector, including manufacturing and related services.
Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, described the joint venture as a key milestone for the company.
“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 program, as well as strengthening both India’s sovereign defense capabilities and Safran’s industrial presence in India,” the chief executive said.