India, France to Advance HAMMER Missile JV, Reciprocal Officer Deployment at 6th Defence Dialogue
India and France are set to deepen their defence partnership with the expected signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a joint venture to manufacture HAMMER missiles and an announcement on reciprocal deployment of officers between the Indian Army and the French Land Forces. The developments are likely to be formalised during the sixth India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on February 17.
The HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), also known as AASM, is a precision-guided air-to-ground weapon developed by Safran for the French Air and Space Force and export customers.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will co-chair the dialogue with French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin. The meeting will review the full spectrum of bilateral defence cooperation, with a particular emphasis on expanding industrial collaboration.
During the talks, the two sides are also expected to renew a defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years. In addition to the HAMMER missile joint venture, an announcement is anticipated regarding reciprocal posting of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments, aimed at enhancing military-to-military engagement and operational understanding.
The ministers are also scheduled to witness the virtual inauguration of the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line of Tata Airbus at Vemagal, Karnataka. The event will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Defence remains a central pillar of the India–France strategic partnership. The strength of ties was reflected in high-level exchanges over the past two years. Prime Minister Modi attended the Bastille Day Parade in July 2023 as Guest of Honour, while President Macron was the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day Parade in January 2024.
Military cooperation between the two countries has steadily expanded. The armed forces conduct three major bilateral exercises–Exercise Shakti (Army), Exercise Varuna (Navy) and Exercise Garuda (Air Force), along with several other professional engagements.
The dialogue in Bengaluru will mark the first visit to India by Catherine Vautrin since she assumed office on October 12, 2025. The India–France Annual Defence Dialogue serves as a structured ministerial-level mechanism to review and guide bilateral defence and security cooperation. The fifth edition of the dialogue was held in France from October 11 to 13, 2023.
The dialogue comes just days before French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India on February 17, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, review strategic and defence cooperation and engage in discussions focused on industrial partnerships and regional security.
In the backdrop of the talks is the recently cleared proposal for the procurement of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The proposal received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking a key step forward in what could become one of India’s largest fighter jet acquisitions.
