New Delhi, May 5 -- Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defense (SED), France, on 17 February 2026, signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) to establish a Joint Venture Company (JVC) for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) smart precision guided air-to-ground weapon in India. The JVC, with equal shareholding between BEL and SED, will focus on the manufacturing, supply and maintenance of HAMMER to meet the operational needs of Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The transfer of production will happen in a phased manner ensuring a stabilised production line in India. The indigenisation level will progressively increase with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufact...