India and France have agreed to form a joint venture between Safran and Bharat Electronics Limited to manufacture the HAMMER precision-guided weapon in India. The 50:50 partnership will establish a Center of Excellence to produce and maintain guidance kits for India’s armed forces. The HAMMER, also known as AASM, offers modular, long-range precision strike capability up to 70 kilometers and will equip India’s Rafale fleet. The agreement coincides with high-level diplomatic talks between Paris and New Delhi.
