The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is preparing to evaluate major military procurement plans during its latest session on July 3.
A central focus of this meeting will be the approval of roughly 600 Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) precision-guided weapons, designed to bolster the strike capabilities of both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy.
This crucial gathering is the first to feature the newly appointed military leadership, including the Chief of Defence Staff and the chiefs of the Army and Navy.
Beyond the HAMMER system, the council is anticipated to review a broader range of defence deals estimated at over ₹1 lakh crore. These include proposed acquisitions of the indigenous Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) and Russian-origin Verba air defence systems.
Valued at an estimated ₹2,400 crore, the HAMMER proposal aims to significantly enhance India's aerial firepower. The bulk of these 600 advanced weapons will be integrated into the IAF's existing Rafale jets and the homegrown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Additionally, a dedicated portion will be allocated to the Indian Navy to arm its incoming fleet of Rafale Marine combat aircraft.
A major highlight of this procurement is its alignment with the 'Make in India' initiative.
Originally engineered by the French aerospace firm Safran Electronics & Defence, the HAMMER system will now be produced locally.
This follows a Joint Venture Agreement signed earlier in February 2026 between Safran and India's state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), ensuring a steady transfer of technology and domestic manufacturing.
Producing these munitions within the country will secure the military supply chain and decrease reliance on foreign imports. It also positions India to develop robust internal facilities capable of building high-end, modular smart weapons.
Technically referred to as the Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM), the HAMMER is a versatile weapon that upgrades standard unguided bombs with a modular propulsion and guidance kit.
With an impressive stand-off range of up to 70 kilometres, it enables fighter jets to accurately destroy both stationary and moving targets from a safe distance, effectively avoiding enemy ground-based air defence networks.
The weapon's adaptability is further enhanced by its multiple guidance options, such as GPS, inertial navigation, and infrared targeting, making it highly effective in bad weather and complex battlefields.
The Indian armed forces first acquired the HAMMER system through an emergency purchase following the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict with China, and it was notably deployed by the IAF during Operation Sindoor.
This rapid procurement gave the IAF's Rafale fighters an immediate, all-weather precision strike advantage, which is particularly crucial for high-altitude, mountainous warfare.
By enlarging its stockpile and fitting the HAMMER onto the indigenous LCA Tejas, the IAF will achieve greater operational flexibility, allowing different fighter squadrons to utilize a universal precision weapon.
For the Indian Navy, arming the Rafale Marine with this system will grant its aircraft carriers a formidable long-range ground attack capability to support its anti-ship and air-to-air missions.
Ultimately, standardising such precision munitions across various military branches simplifies training, streamlines logistics, and cuts down on long-term maintenance expenses.
Industry observers note that domestic assembly of the HAMMER could lead to greater Indian-made components in future orders, while also cementing the strategic defence alliance between New Delhi and Paris.
