BEL, France’s Safran to Build Air-to-Surface Missiles in India
In a significant development, state-run Bharat Electronics (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics and Defence have signed a joint venture cooperation agreement to produce air-to-ground weapons in India. The joint venture will focus on building the “Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER)” weapon, a highly advanced air-to-surface missile designed to meet the operational needs of the Indian Air Force and Navy.
The agreement marks a major milestone in the Indo-French defense cooperation, with both countries aiming to strengthen their strategic partnership in the field of defense production. The joint venture will be formed as a private limited firm, with a 50:50 shareholding between BEL and Safran. This partnership is expected to give a significant boost to India’s defense manufacturing capabilities, while also enhancing the country’s ability to produce advanced defense systems.
The HAMMER missile is a state-of-the-art weapon system designed to engage ground targets at long ranges. It is highly agile and can be used to attack a variety of targets, including fortified bunkers, enemy positions, and high-value assets. The missile’s extended range and high degree of accuracy make it an ideal weapon for the Indian Air Force and Navy, which require advanced air-to-surface capabilities to engage enemy targets in a variety of scenarios.
The production of HAMMER missiles in India is expected to commence soon, with the joint venture firm establishing a manufacturing facility in the country. The facility will be equipped with advanced production lines and testing equipment, ensuring that the missiles are produced to the highest standards of quality and reliability. The joint venture firm will also undertake the integration of the missiles with Indian aircraft, including the Rafale and Tejas, as well as the development of indigenous launch systems.
The partnership between BEL and Safran is a significant step forward for India’s defense industry, which has been seeking to enhance its capabilities in the production of advanced defense systems. The joint venture is expected to create new opportunities for Indian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to participate in the production of defense equipment. It will also provide a boost to the country’s defense research and development (R&D) capabilities, with the joint venture firm expected to invest in R&D activities to develop new defense technologies.
The Indian Air Force and Navy have been seeking to acquire advanced air-to-surface capabilities to enhance their operational effectiveness. The HAMMER missile is expected to play a critical role in this regard, providing the Indian military with a highly advanced and reliable weapon system. The missile’s ability to engage targets at long ranges and its high degree of accuracy make it an ideal weapon for a variety of scenarios, including counter-terrorism operations and conventional warfare.
The joint venture between BEL and Safran is also expected to have a positive impact on India’s defense exports. With the country seeking to emerge as a major defense exporter, the production of advanced defense systems like the HAMMER missile is expected to enhance India’s credibility as a defense manufacturer. The joint venture firm is expected to explore export opportunities for the HAMMER missile, with several countries in the region and beyond expressing interest in acquiring the advanced weapon system.
In conclusion, the joint venture between BEL and Safran is a significant development for India’s defense industry, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance its defense manufacturing capabilities. The production of HAMMER missiles in India is expected to provide a significant boost to the Indian Air Force and Navy, while also creating new opportunities for Indian companies and enhancing the country’s defense R&D capabilities. As India seeks to emerge as a major defense manufacturer, the joint venture between BEL and Safran is expected to play a critical role in achieving this goal.
About the Author
