Safran and BEL partnership: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a major defense company in India, has signed an important agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense from France. This partnership will create a joint venture to manufacture, customize, sell, and maintain HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapons in India.
BEL’s Director of Marketing, KV Suresh Kumar, and Safran Electronics & Defense’s Executive Vice President, Alexandre Ziegler, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The signing took place in the presence of BEL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Manoj Jain, and Safran Electronics & Defense CEO, Franck Saudo, along with other senior officials from both companies, reported by PSU Watch.
Tejas Fighter Jets Set for Takeoff: Deliveries to Begin from March, Confirmed by Officials
BEL’s Chairman, Manoj Jain, described this partnership as a major step in India’s defense industry. He said, “The proposed joint venture between BEL and Safran Electronics & Defense will be a major step toward strengthening India’s capabilities in defense manufacturing and achieving self-reliance in advanced weapon systems. It will localize HAMMER production, enable development of future variants, and support the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing import dependence. The collaboration will facilitate technology transfer, create opportunities for Indian industries, especially SMEs, and position India as a global hub for smart ammunitions production.”
Franck Saudo, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense, also expressed his excitement about this partnership. He said, “This joint venture partnership with BEL marks an important milestone for Safran Electronics & Defense. By creating this center of excellence combining the best of Safran with the best of BEL in smart precision-guided munitions, we are supporting the Government’s Make in India programme, as well as strengthening both India’s sovereign defense capabilities and Safran’s industrial presence in India.”
BEL and Safran Electronics & Defense also plan to set up a Center of Excellence to improve India’s defense industry. This center will focus on manufacturing, engineering, and services such as maintenance, repairs, and overhauls of optronics and navigation equipment for the Indian armed forces.
Defence Minister Visits HAL Facility in Bengaluru Ahead of Aero India 2025
Safran Electronics & Defense will share its expertise through a knowledge transfer program. The production transfer will happen step by step, with BEL handling final assembly, testing, and quality assurance.
This partnership is an important part of the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, which aims to make India self-sufficient in defense production. The companies will build a state-of-the-art production facility in India, reducing the country’s dependence on imports and improving its defense capabilities.
HAMMER is a highly accurate and advanced weapon system used in combat. Its modular design makes it easy to adapt to different platforms, including the Rafale and LCA Tejas fighter jets.
