Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Defence PSU, has signed a partnership with Safran Electronics & Defense, France, to establish a joint venture for the manufacturing, customization, sale, and maintenance of the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) Smart Precision-Guided Air-to-Ground Weapon in India.
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The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Mr. K.V. Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Mr. Alexandre Ziegler, Executive Vice President, Safran Electronics & Defense, in the presence of BEL’s Chairman & Managing Director, Mr. Manoj Jain, and Safran Electronics & Defense CEO, Mr. Franck Saudo.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
- The joint venture will localize HAMMER production in India, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing dependence on imports.
- It will enable the development of future variants of HAMMER and support technology transfer to Indian industries, especially SMEs.
- A Center of Excellence will be set up to enhance manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, and overhauls of optronics and navigation equipment for the Indian Armed Forces.
- Safran Electronics & Defense will implement a knowledge transfer program, while BEL will lead final assembly, testing, and quality assurance in a phased manner.
This collaboration aims to position India as a global hub for smart ammunition production, strengthening self-reliance in defense manufacturing and enhancing the country’s operational readiness. HAMMER, a combat-proven precision-guided weapon, is known for its high accuracy and modular design, making it suitable for platforms such as the Rafale and LCA Tejas.
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