PARIS, France — June 07, 2026 : French aerospace and defense company Safran plans to manufacture 1,400 AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs in 2026, marking a significant increase in production as demand for precision-guided munitions continues to grow in France and international markets.
The production target was confirmed by Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, during an interview with La Tribune. The expansion is part of the company's broader strategy to strengthen defense manufacturing capacity and support increasing orders from allied nations.
€120 Million Investment in Montluçon Facility
To support the production increase, Safran will invest €120 million in its manufacturing facility in Montluçon, located in central France. The project is expected to create more than 150 new jobs and expand the site's production capabilities.
The investment is part of a wider €1.4 billion global industrial expansion program approved by Safran in 2025 to increase manufacturing capacity across its international operations.
The Montluçon facility plays a key role in Safran's defense business, producing critical components for the AASM (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) Hammer system. These include the weapon's guidance kits, rocket propulsion modules, and advanced navigation equipment.
Expansion of Precision Gyroscope Production
A major portion of the investment will be directed toward increasing production of Hemispherical Resonator Gyroscopes (HRGs), highly accurate inertial navigation sensors used in military aircraft, naval vessels, ground vehicles, and precision-guided weapons.
These sensors allow platforms to navigate and maintain targeting accuracy without relying solely on satellite navigation systems such as GPS, making them particularly valuable in environments affected by electronic warfare and signal jamming.
Safran plans to triple annual HRG production, increasing output from approximately 10,000 units per year today to 30,000 units annually by 2032.
Rapid Increase in AASM Hammer Output
The planned production of 1,400 AASM Hammer kits in 2026 reflects a sharp rise in manufacturing over the past several years.
In 2022, Safran produced approximately 200 AASM kits annually. Production expanded significantly as demand increased.
By the end of 2024, the company had delivered 830 kits, exceeding its original target of 600 units by nearly 40 percent.
Production continued to grow in 2025, rising by around 30 percent to between 1,080 and 1,200 units.
The expansion received additional support from the French Ministry of Defense, which announced a €128 million investment package in July 2025 to accelerate manufacturing capacity following the weapon's demonstrated operational effectiveness in Ukraine.
Hammer XLR Extends Strike Range
Safran has also introduced an upgraded version of the weapon known as the Hammer XLR.
Unveiled in June 2025, the new variant replaces the standard solid-fuel rocket booster with a turbojet engine, significantly increasing operational range.
While the standard AASM Hammer can strike targets at distances of up to 70 kilometers, the Hammer XLR can reach targets between 150 and 200 kilometers when released from high altitude.
The weapon remains fully modular and is currently available for several bomb classes, including the 227-kilogram Hammer-250 and 908-kilogram Hammer-1000 variants.
Precision-Guided Weapon System
The AASM Hammer is a modular precision-guided munition designed to convert conventional free-fall bombs into stand-off precision weapons.
The system combines GPS and inertial navigation guidance, anti-jamming capabilities, and optional terminal guidance systems to improve strike accuracy in contested environments.
The weapon has been integrated on multiple combat aircraft, including the Dassault Rafale, Mirage 2000, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Growing International Partnerships
Beyond France, Safran is expanding the global footprint of the AASM Hammer program through international partnerships and localized production initiatives.
According to Andriès, the company is prepared to establish local assembly and production lines in European countries that place substantial orders for the weapon system.
Recent international activity includes a Norwegian order for several hundred AASM bombs intended to support Ukraine.
Safran has also strengthened its presence in India through a 50/50 joint venture with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), signed in New Delhi in November 2025. The partnership aims to manufacture and adapt the AASM Hammer for the Indian Armed Forces while achieving a localization rate of up to 60 percent.
Production Expansion Continues
With production expected to reach 1,400 AASM Hammer guided bombs in 2026, along with expanded manufacturing of advanced navigation systems, Safran is continuing to increase its defense-industrial capacity to meet growing domestic and international demand for precision-guided munitions.
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