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Global aerospace and defence leader Safran has unveiled its new HAMMER 250 Long Range Low Yield (LRL) precision-guided munition, a significant development showcased at the International Paris Air Show 2025 at Le Bourget.
This advanced weapon is poised to substantially upgrade the combat effectiveness of fighter jets, including the Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fleet, by enabling highly accurate strikes from extended distances.
The HAMMER 250 LRL is the latest evolution of the company's proven HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) family of smart weapons.
This new variant is engineered for superior range and precision, integrating a sophisticated guidance package that includes GPS and Inertial Navigation Systems (INS).
For terminal guidance, it can be equipped with either laser or infrared seekers, allowing it to engage stationary and moving targets with meter-level accuracy.
When released from high altitude, the munition can strike targets more than 70 kilometres away, providing a critical standoff capability.
This new weapon system offers crucial tactical advantages for the Indian Air Force.
By integrating the HAMMER 250 LRL, the IAF's Rafale jets will be able to launch precision attacks against high-value assets—such as hardened enemy bunkers, vital infrastructure, and air defence units—while remaining outside the effective range of most anti-aircraft systems.
This enhanced standoff capability significantly improves pilot safety and mission survivability, strengthening India's strategic deterrence along its borders, including the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A key feature of the HAMMER 250 LRL is its low-yield warhead, specifically designed to limit unintended collateral damage.
This makes it particularly suitable for modern warfare scenarios where operations may occur in or near populated areas, aligning with the global military trend towards minimising civilian impact.
The weapon's modular design ensures seamless compatibility with the Rafale’s existing advanced systems, such as the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, thereby maximising operational flexibility for the IAF.
Defence analysts have highlighted the munition's adaptability and value, suggesting its potential for future integration with other aircraft in the IAF's inventory.
The adoption of the HAMMER 250 LRL represents a strategic enhancement of India's air power, reinforcing the nation's commitment to modernising its armed forces.
India had previously ordered HAMMER munitions for its Rafale fleet under emergency powers in 2020 to bolster its capabilities.
