Article 3: India, France renew defence cooperation for 10 year; to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India
Why in news: India and France renewed their 10-year defence cooperation agreement and signed a pact to manufacture HAMMER missiles in India, deepening strategic defence ties and boosting indigenous defence production.
Key Details
- India and France renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years.
- Both countries signed an agreement to jointly manufacture HAMMER missiles in India.
- The decision strengthens strategic defence and military ties between the two nations.
- The agreement promotes technology transfer and indigenous defence production under Make in India.
- It reflects deeper military, industrial, and long-term security collaboration between the two countries.
About HAMMER:
- HAMMER stands for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range.
- Official French name: AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire).
- Developed by Safran.
- It is a precision-guided air-to-ground weapon.
- Used mainly by the French Air and Space Force.
Type and Nature
- It is a modular precision-guided bomb kit fitted to conventional bombs.
- Converts a dumb bomb into a smart bomb.
- Designed for all-weather, day-and-night operations.
- Suitable for high-intensity warfare and counter-terror operations.
Key Features
- Extended Range – Can strike targets up to 60–70 km (depending on altitude).
- High Accuracy – Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters.
- Fire-and-Forget Capability – No need for continuous guidance after launch.
- High Agility – Can hit targets at steep angles and moving targets (with advanced guidance).
- Resistant to GPS jamming (in certain configurations).
Guidance Systems
HAMMER uses multiple guidance options:
- INS (Inertial Navigation System)
- GPS guidance
- Infrared (IR) seeker
- Laser guidance
This makes it effective against:
- Fixed targets (bunkers, buildings)
- Moving targets (vehicles, convoys)
Warhead Variants
- 125 kg class
- 250 kg class
- 500 kg class
- 1000 kg class
Different warheads allow:
- Penetration of hardened bunkers
- Destruction of infrastructure and military installations
Platform Compatibility
- Primarily integrated with Dassault Rafale.
- Also compatible with Mirage 2000 aircraft.
- Can be adapted to other compatible fighter platforms.
Operational Significance
- Enhances stand-off strike capability.
- Reduces risk to pilots by allowing long-distance engagement.
- Provides strategic depth in modern air warfare.
- Useful in precision strikes with minimal collateral damage.
Recent Relevance in India Context
- Integrated with India’s Rafale fighter jets.
- Strengthens India’s air superiority and precision strike capability.
- Important in the context of border security and high-altitude warfare.
Conclusion
The renewal of defence cooperation between India and France marks a significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership. The joint manufacturing of HAMMER missiles enhances India’s defence preparedness and promotes indigenous production. This long-term collaboration reflects growing trust, deeper military ties, and a shared commitment to regional and global security stability.
EXPECTED QUESTION FOR PELIMS:
Consider the following with reference to HAMMER missile system:
- It is a precision-guided air-to-ground weapon system.
- It is developed by Israel.
- It can be fitted with different guidance kits including GPS and infrared.
How many of the above is/are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
Answer: b