Tejas Mk1A Set to Gain 70km Range HAMMER Missiles, Boosting IAF’s Strike and SEAD Power

India’s indigenous fighter jet, the Tejas Mk1A, is on the brink of achieving a major milestone in its combat journey. It is now in the final stages of trials for integration with the French-made AASM HAMMER missile system—a precision-guided weapon that promises to significantly strengthen the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational capability, especially for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) missions.

The AASM HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), developed by Safran Electronics & Defence, is a versatile and battle-tested smart weapon. Capable of striking targets up to 70 kilometres away, it transforms conventional unguided bombs into deadly precision munitions using a high-tech guidance kit and a rocket booster. The HAMMER’s effectiveness has already been proven in combat and is currently deployed on India’s Rafale jets.

Now, this potent system is being paired with the Tejas Mk1A—India’s homegrown light combat aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The integration of the HAMMER missile into the Tejas platform began back in 2020, and over the years, several critical testing milestones have been achieved. A major breakthrough came in March 2022, when successful ground jettison and release tests were conducted using a Limited Series Production Tejas variant. Since then, flight trials have been ongoing, and reports suggest that the Tejas Mk1A is already flying with the HAMMER missile during these final validation phases.

The HAMMER is not just another missile—it represents a serious strategic boost. Its long standoff range means pilots can strike heavily defended targets from a safe distance, minimizing the risk to both the aircraft and pilot. It can hit a variety of threats, from hardened bunkers and radar installations to mobile targets deep inside enemy territory. This makes it an ideal weapon for SEAD operations, which are vital for dismantling enemy air defence systems and opening up the skies for broader aerial missions.

What sets the HAMMER apart is its adaptability. It comes with multiple guidance systems, including INS/GPS, Infrared (IR), and Laser guidance. This allows it to maintain accuracy even when GPS signals are jammed or under electronic warfare attacks. Its successful performance in high-threat environments like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted its robustness and reliability.

On the Tejas Mk1A, the HAMMER missiles are mounted on the mid-board stations, effectively complementing other advanced weapons such as the Astra Mk1 air-to-air missile and Python-5. Thanks to the Tejas’s modern avionics suite, targeting and deploying these munitions is smooth and precise, allowing pilots to respond quickly to evolving battlefield situations.

The strategic importance of SEAD capabilities cannot be overstated. In potential conflict zones, such as along India’s borders with Pakistan or China, enemy surface-to-air missile systems like the HQ-9B pose a serious threat to IAF operations. With the HAMMER, the Tejas can locate, target, and destroy these defences, enabling deeper penetration into hostile airspace and ensuring air superiority.

Adding to this momentum, India is also taking bold steps to localise the production of the HAMMER system. On February 12, 2025, a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran was officially announced. This partnership will handle local manufacturing, customisation, maintenance, and long-term support for the HAMMER missile, in alignment with India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) mission.

This collaboration follows a co-development proposal made by France in October 2024 and builds upon existing cooperation between India and France on platforms like the Rafale and Mirage 2000. With interoperability across multiple fighter jets and growing domestic production capabilities, India is not only enhancing its immediate combat readiness but also building a strong, independent foundation for its future defence needs.

As the Tejas Mk1A nears full combat certification with the HAMMER missile, it symbolizes a leap in India’s air power—blending indigenous innovation with cutting-edge global technology to ensure readiness for modern warfare.