Indian company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed an agreement with French company Safran Electronics and Defense (SED) to establish joint local production of AASM Hammer glide bombs.
Under this agreement, a joint venture will be established, with each company owning an equal 50% stake. Over time, it is planned that 60% of all components will be localized in India. The Indian Air Force and Navy already have these aerial bombs in their arsenal, where they are used on French Rafale and Indian Tejas fighter jets.
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AASM Hammer bombs have already proven effective in Ukraine, where they are being used extensively. However, the supply of these bombs is insufficient, and Ukraine needs much more. In particular, 1,200 units were planned to be manufactured this year, and only a part of them will be delivered to Ukraine.
Therefore, Ukraine should follow India's example and establish local production of the AASM Hammer. This would significantly increase supplies to the military, enable more flexible scaling of production, reduce costs, and strengthen the country's economy.
However, there is another reason why Ukraine should localize their production. It should be noted that Ukraine is planning to purchase 100 Rafale fighter jets, and the primary bombs used by this aircraft are the AASM Hammer.
In addition, the AASM Hammer bombs can be carried by Su-27, Su-25, MiG-29, and F-16 aircraft. This means that almost all combat aircraft currently operated by the Ukrainian Air Force, as well as a significant portion of those that will be operated in the future, can carry these bombs.
The potential use of AASM Hammer bombs on the JAS 39E/F Gripen, of which Ukraine plans to order 150, has not yet been confirmed. However, it cannot be ruled out that these aircraft could carry them or be easily modified to do so.
Using a single type of guided bomb, or reducing their range, would allow for the unification of ammunition across most or all air platforms, simplifying logistics and lowering costs.
Compared with the JDAM‑ER, the AASM Hammer has an advantage. Its solid‑fuel booster enables lower‑altitude launches and greater range. In conditions where the front line is saturated with russian air defense systems and fighter jets, this is an important factor.
Given recent U.S. actions, caution is warranted regarding American weapons, as their supply could be halted at any time. Therefore, it would be better for Ukraine to have a European equivalent in its arsenal, which could be produced directly in the country.
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