India and France to Ink Landmark HAMMER Missile Deal; Renew 10-Year Pact.
Mumbai, February 16, 2026 – Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans, Ms. Catherine Vautrin, will jointly chair the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue tomorrow, February 17.
The summit is expected to be one of the most consequential meetings in recent years, shifting the focus from "off-the-shelf" purchases to deep industrial integration and long-term security guarantees.
1. Renewing the 10-Year Strategic Roadmap
The cornerstone of the dialogue is the formal renewal of the Bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement.
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Duration: The agreement will be extended for another 10 years.
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Scope: It covers intelligence sharing, cyber security, maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean, and joint R&D for next-generation combat platforms.
2. Manufacturing HAMMER Missiles in India
In a massive boost for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the two ministers will oversee the signing of an MoU for a Joint Venture (JV) to manufacture the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) missile system locally.
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The Weapon: The HAMMER is a precision-guided, stand-off weapon currently used by the Indian Air Force's Rafale and Tejas fighter jets.
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The Impact: Local production will ensure a steady supply chain and significantly lower the cost per unit for the IAF.
Key Discussion Points at a Glance
| Feature | Objective |
| Industrial Cooperation | Finalizing the roadmap for the Scorpene-class submarine additional order. |
| Aero-Engines | Progress on the co-development of a 110kN engine for the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). |
| Space Defence | Enhancing cooperation between the Indian Defence Space Agency (DSA) and the French Space Command. |
| Regional Security | Joint strategy for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" amid rising maritime tensions. |
The "Bengaluru Connection"
Hosting the dialogue in Bengaluru is a strategic choice. The city serves as the headquarters for major Indian aerospace players like HAL and BEL, as well as several French aerospace offices. Following the dialogue, the ministers are expected to visit the Tata-Airbus H125 Final Assembly Line, which stands as a testament to the growing private-sector synergy between the two nations.
Note: This dialogue marks the first visit of Minister Catherine Vautrin to India in her current capacity, signaling France's continued commitment to India as its "foremost strategic partner" in Asia.