Overview: Elevating their relationship to a ‘Special Global and Strategic Partnership’, India and France inaugurated the BEL-Safran Joint Venture during President Macron’s recent visit. Aimed at manufacturing HAMMER smart munitions locally, this collaboration reduces import dependence and integrates India into the global defense supply chain.
Key Points:
- The joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran will manufacture HAMMER air-to-ground precision-guided munitions in India.
- A Centre of Excellence is being established under this JV for joint industrial manufacturing, engineering, and associated technological services.
- The HAMMER munitions are being integrated onto India’s indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighters, in addition to the existing Rafale fleet.
- The initiative aims to position India not just as a consumer, but as a global export hub for smart ammunition.
- This pact reflects the elevation of Indo-French bilateral ties to a ‘Special Global and Strategic Partnership’, enhancing interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.
Source Link: Ministry of External Affairs India
- MCQ: The highly advanced ‘HAMMER’ smart munition system, recently slated for indigenous manufacturing in India, is originally a technology developed by which country?
(A) Israel
(B) United States of America
(C) France
(D) Russia
