SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the cusp of a significant capability upgrade as the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, already seen flying with the French AASM HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), nears the completion of trials to certify its use in combat scenarios. The AASM HAMMER, a precision-guided munition developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, offers a 70-kilometer range and is designed for close air support (CAS), precision strikes, and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD).
Already integrated with the IAF’s Rafale jets, the HAMMER’s adoption by the Tejas Mk1A strengthens India’s air combat capabilities, particularly in the context of regional tensions with Pakistan and China.
The integration of the AASM HAMMER with the Tejas Mk1A began in 2020, with significant milestones achieved over the past five years. In November 2021, a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) official confirmed to Jane’s that the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) had secured a deal for an unspecified number of HAMMER kits for the Tejas. Ground jettison tests from the mid-board station were successfully conducted on March 31, 2022, using the Limited Series Production (LSP-7) Tejas, followed by successful HAMMER release tests, marking the completion of Phase 1 integration.
By 2025, the Tejas Mk1A has been observed flying with the HAMMER during trials, idrw.org has been told by sources that the integration is nearing complete on the older Tejas Mk1 also . The AASM HAMMER is a modular, combat-proven weapon system that transforms standard unguided bombs (125 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg) into precision-guided smart bombs through a rocket booster and guidance kit. Its key features include:
With a 70-kilometer standoff range, the HAMMER allows the Tejas to engage targets from a safe distance, reducing exposure to enemy air defenses. It supports CAS, precision strikes, and SEAD missions, targeting bunkers, radar installations, and mobile threats. The HAMMER offers multiple guidance modes—INS/GPS, INS/GPS/Infrared (IR), and INS/GPS/Laser—ensuring high accuracy even in GPS-jammed environments. Its resistance to electronic warfare, proven in Ukraine against Russian jamming, enhances its reliability.
The HAMMER is mounted on the Tejas’s mid-board stations, complementing other munitions like the Astra Mk1 missile and Python-5. Its integration leverages the Tejas’s advanced avionics, ensuring seamless targeting and release. The HAMMER’s SEAD capability is particularly significant, enabling the Tejas to neutralize enemy radar and missile systems, such as Pakistan’s HQ-9B or Chinese S-400 equivalents, enhancing the IAF’s ability to penetrate contested airspace.
On February 12, 2025, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran announced a joint venture to localize AASM HAMMER production in India, focusing on manufacturing, customization, sales, and maintenance. This move, reported by The Week, supports India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reducing import dependency and enhancing supply chain resilience. The joint venture, formalized after France proposed co-development in October 2024, leverages the HAMMER’s prior integration with the IAF’s Rafale and Mirage 2000 fleets, ensuring interoperability across platforms.
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