IAF to get HAMMER missiles; features and lethality of the medium-range air-to-ground weapon from France
Amid simmering border tension with China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to further boost the capabilities of its Rafael combat fighters, which are set to arrive from France soon, by equipping them with the deadly HAMMER missiles.
HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a medium-range air-to-ground weapon designed and manufactured for the French Air Force and Navy initially.
The HAMMERs would give India the capability to take out any bunkers or hardened shelters in any type of terrain including the mountainous locations such as Eastern Ladakh, according to the defence experts.
the new generation medium-range modular air-to-ground weapon had been designed and manufactured by Sagem (Safran group) for the French Air Force and Navy.
The AASM family of missiles was first unveiled during the Paris Air Show in June 2007. The weapon system was also exhibited during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi in February 2013.
