Indian Air Force orders HAMMER bunker buster for Tejas fighter jets from France

In latest move that would furr enhance capabilities of India’s LCA Tejas fighter aircraft, Indian Air Force has ordered ‘HAMMER’ missiles from France. latest dition would allow IAF’s Tejas to take out any hardened bunkers or ground targets at stand-off ranges of more than 70 kilometres. As per ANI report, capability enhancement of LCA Tejas fighter aircraft is being done amid military stand-off with China using emergency procurement power granted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to country’s defence forces. 

Government sources told news ncy, “ HAMMER missiles are in process of being integrated with LCA Tejas and it will significantly enhance its capability to take out hardened targets from stand-off distances.”

IAF has acquired first lot of French HAMMER’s for Rafale fighter jets at time when aircraft h started coming to air force from European nation to increase air to ground strength of its most vanced plane. media outlet stated that at time, as re was Chinese urgency due to Chinese aggression, French authorities h agreed to supply HAMMERs at short tice for our Rafales.

What is HAMMER?

HAMMER stands for Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range and it is a medium-range air-to-ground weapon that is specifically designed and manufactured for French Air Force and Navy initially. HAMMERs would provide India with capability to take any bunkers or hardened shelters irrespective of terrain such as mountaius locations, revealed sources. 

media report ted that IAF has extensively utilised emergency procurement powers granted by government in different phases to equip mselves with essential weaponry to handle any conflict or aggression by enemies. Indian Air Force is strongly supporting LCA Tejas fighter aircraft programme by ding ditional qualities to aircraft.

IAF has alrey operationalised two of its squrons in initial operational clearance and final operational clearance versions while a contract has been signed for 83 Mark1As will be delivered a couple of years from w. Reportedly, IAF has also eyed LCA Mark 2 and AMCA being developed by DRDO for it.

With inputs from ANI

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