NEW DELHI, Nov. 25 -- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and French firm Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) on Monday signed a joint venture cooperation agreement (JVCA) for the production of the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) smart weapon in India, in a major impetus to the self-reliance drive, the defence ministry said.

The Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets are equipped with HAMMER precision guided air-to-ground weapon, which was used during the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May under Operation Sindoor.

The agreement formalises the intent expressed in the MoU signed between BEL and SED in February 2025 during Aero India, reaffirming the willingness of both sides to incorporate a potential...