France Set to Sign MoU for Joint Production of HAMMER Missiles During Macron Visit

France Set to Sign MoU for Joint Production of HAMMER Missiles During Macron Visit

What Is the HAMMER Missile?

France is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India for the joint production of HAMMER missiles during the three-day official visit of Emmanuel Macron. Macron will arrive in Mumbai on February 16 and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 17, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) missile is currently deployed on Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force and has so far been imported from France. Under the proposed agreement, manufacturing of the missile system is expected to shift to India, marking a significant boost for indigenous defence production.

Originally unveiled in 2007 at the Paris Air Show under the name AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire), the weapon was rebranded as HAMMER in 2011. It is classified as a medium-range, air-to-ground precision-guided munition.

The name “HAMMER” symbolises the impact of a hammer strike flattening a surface — reflecting the missile’s ability to accurately destroy its intended target. Designed for precision air-to-ground attacks, the weapon has an operational strike range of approximately 60 to 70 kilometres. Defence experts note its effectiveness in mountainous terrain and against fortified bunkers.

Local production is expected to improve supply timelines for the Air Force, reduce dependence on imports, and further strengthen the government’s Make in India initiative in the defence sector.

Capabilities and Expanding Defence Cooperation

The HAMMER missile weighs about 330 kilograms and is engineered for high-precision strikes, including operations in high-altitude regions. It operates on a “fire-and-forget” principle, meaning that once locked onto a target and launched, it requires no further guidance.

The system can engage both stationary and moving targets and uses advanced navigation technologies to minimise the risk of deviation. It is capable of operating in all weather conditions and during both day and night missions.

Different warhead configurations are available, ranging from 125 kilograms to 1,000 kilograms. A single Rafale fighter jet can carry up to six 250-kilogram HAMMER missiles, enabling it to engage multiple targets simultaneously in a single sortie.

According to a report by The Hindu Business Line, the missile is expected to be manufactured in India by Bharat Electronics Limited through a 50-50 joint venture with its original French manufacturer, Safran Electronics & Defence.

In parallel, discussions between New Delhi and Paris are likely to include the proposed acquisition of 114 additional Rafale aircraft. Of these, 96 are expected to be manufactured in India, while the remaining jets will be delivered in flyaway condition by Dassault Aviation.

Separately, Modi and Macron are also expected to inaugurate a helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility is a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus for the production of H-125 helicopters, further underlining the expanding strategic and defence partnership between India and France.