Bharat’s Defence Leap: How New Franco-Bharatiya Partnerships Are Powering “Make in India” into the Future

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 28th November: On November 24, 2025, Bharat’s quest for technological sovereignty in defence reached a defining milestone. In a landmark move, France’s Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) to manufacture the Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (Hammer) weapon system in Bharat. This was not merely another industrial tie-up — it signified a deeper evolution of Bharat’s defence ecosystem, moving from dependency to co-creation, and from import to innovation.

Coming just days after Safran SA’s commitment to 100% transfer of technology (ToT) for the jet engine powering Bharat’s upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter, and in the same month that Netherlands-based KNDS partnered with Bharat’s SMPP to produce precision-guided artillery ammunition, the series of collaborations point to a clear trajectory: Bharat is becoming a defence manufacturing hub with global credibility.

Hammering Out Self-Reliance

The Hammer smart weapon system — already familiar to the Bharatiya Air Force — is one of the most advanced precision-guided munitions in the world. During the 2020 Galwan Valley confrontation, Bharat procured these weapons from France under emergency provisions to equip its Rafale fighter jets. Their performance then established Hammer’s reputation as a battle-proven system capable of high accuracy and all-weather deployment.

Under the new joint venture, BEL and Safran will jointly manufacture, assemble, and maintain Hammer systems in Bharat, with a 50:50 shareholding. Initially, production will focus on localising sub-assemblies, electronics, and mechanical components — gradually raising indigenisation levels to 60%. BEL will oversee final assembly, testing, and quality assurance.

What makes the Hammer system a game changer is its versatility. Equipped with GPS, INS, and laser guidance systems, it can strike targets up to 70 kilometres away, even from low altitudes. It comes in multiple warhead variants — from 125 to 1,000 kilograms — and boasts an astonishing 99% success rate in operational conditions. For Bharat, manufacturing this weapon domestically means not only reduced import costs but also strategic autonomy in rapid replenishment during conflicts.

The Engine That Redefines Independence

Perhaps the most consequential development, however, is Safran SA’s 100% transfer of jet engine technology to Bharat — a first in Bharat’s defence history. This ToT agreement, forged between Safran and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will enable the co-development of a 120-kilonewton jet engine for Bharat’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

As Safran CEO Olivier Andriès declared, “This is a complete transfer of technologies. No one else has made that offer.” The engine, to be developed over 12 years, will see nine prototypes and a gradual power increase to 140 KN. Crucially, Bharat will own intellectual property rights (IPR) for critical components such as compressors and turbines — a symbolic and practical step toward true technological sovereignty.

This engine deal also includes the transfer of “hot section” technologies, including single-crystal turbine blades, the most advanced and guarded part of jet propulsion. For decades, Bharat’s air force relied on imported engines — from GE for Tejas jets to Rolls-Royce and Klimov for others. With this agreement, that dependency may finally end.

Safran is also expanding its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) presence in Hyderabad, servicing Leap engines that power aircraft like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX — aligning perfectly with Bharat’s booming civil aviation growth, as airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa await over 1,300 new aircraft deliveries.

Precision Artillery: KNDS and SMPP’s KATANA Deal

Adding to this wave of defence industrialisation, KNDS of the Netherlands has partnered with Bharat’s SMPP to produce the KATANA family of 155mm precision-guided artillery shells. Signed during the Milipol Exhibition in Paris on November 20, this deal will allow Bharat to locally produce high-precision, long-range ammunition that enhances artillery accuracy and operational effectiveness.

The KATANA system employs hybrid guidance combining GNSS and inertial sensors, achieving “decametric” precision, and future variants are expected to feature semi-active laser guidance for near-metric accuracy. These “fire-and-forget” munitions are designed for modern, networked warfare, ensuring precision even in complex terrains — a capability that fits seamlessly into the Indian Army’s modernization goals.

Rafale’s Bharatiya Heart: A Symbol of Industrial Maturity

Earlier this year, in June, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed four production transfer agreements to build the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in Bharat — a milestone in aerospace manufacturing. Set up in Hyderabad, the facility will produce the front, centre, and rear fuselage sections for both domestic and export markets.

For the first time in history, Rafale fuselages will be built outside France. As TASL CEO Sukaran Singh stated, “This marks a decisive step in Bharat’s aerospace history, reflecting the trust global aerospace leaders now place in Bharatiya capability.” The Hyderabad facility is expected to roll out its first complete fuselage by 2028, underscoring Bharat’s evolution from assembly-line manufacturing to full-scale aerospace integration.

From Buyer to Builder

What unites these developments is more than the signing of contracts — it is the maturation of Bharat’s defence philosophy. For decades, Bharat was the world’s largest arms importer, spending billions to buy foreign technology while struggling to develop indigenous alternatives. Under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” missions, the shift is now visible: Bharat is no longer content being a buyer — it is becoming a co-developer, manufacturer, and exporter of high-technology systems.

The Safran-BEL, KNDS-SMPP, and Dassault-TASL partnerships mark a new strategic alignment with Europe, where cooperation is grounded not just in trade but in trust and technology sharing. For Bharat, this is not just about defence capability; it is about national pride, job creation, and industrial transformation.

The Future Takes Flight

Bharat’s recent defence collaborations are not isolated deals but interlocking pieces of a larger strategic puzzle. From smart munitions to jet engines and aircraft fuselages, the nation is laying the foundation for a self-sufficient defence manufacturing ecosystem.

If implemented effectively, these projects could make Bharat a global hub for advanced aerospace and defence technologies — transforming it from a market for foreign products into a centre of innovation and export.

As the Rafale fuselage takes shape in Hyderabad and Hammer systems roll off Bharatiya production lines, the message is unmistakable: Bharat’s defence future is no longer imported — it is being built, engineered, and powered at home.