TSAMTO, November 22. India has signed a contract with the French company Safran for the supply of HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) aerial bomb guidance kits for integration with an upgraded version of the LCA "Tejas" Mk.1A light combat aircraft.
As high-ranking government sources told India Today, the order was issued within the framework of emergency procurement powers without a tender, that is, according to the same scheme as missiles for Rafale fighters were purchased.
According to sources, in accordance with the contract, the arsenal of the Air Force will receive several "hundreds of pieces of equipment." The urgency of the purchase is related to the ongoing conflict with the PLA in eastern Ladakh and, as noted, the new ammunition will give an advantage over Chinese JF-17 fighters in a similar class.
At the moment, it is not known for certain whether air-to-ground ammunition will be purchased in full configuration or only guidance kits for installation on existing bombs.
The integration of the new munition with the LCA "Tejas" Mk.1A is handled by the Aviation Development Agency (ADA) in cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
In February, the Indian Air Force ordered 83 LCA "Tejas" Mk.1A, including 10 two-seat training aircraft, worth 456.96 billion. Indian rupees ($6.15 billion), the deliveries of which are scheduled to begin by March 2024 and be completed in 6 years.
The AASM HAMMER family, developed and manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defense based on existing bombs weighing from 250 kg to 1000 kg, is the preferred air-to-ground armament for Rafale fighters. Now they are joined by LCA "Tejas" fighters of the Indian Air Force.
