Bharat Electronics Limited Board Approves Joint Venture Agreement with Safran Electronics and Defence for Project HAMMER
Bharat Electronics Limited's Board of Directors approved a Joint Venture Agreement with Safran Electronics and Defence, France for Project HAMMER on February 15, 2026. The 50:50 partnership will establish a Private Limited Company to operate a Center of Excellence for manufacturing and maintaining HAMMER Weapon System guidance kits, primarily serving Indian Air Force and Navy. The joint venture features equal shareholding, balanced board composition, and initial authorized capital of INR 1,00,000 expandable to INR 10,00,00,000.

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Bharat Electronics Limited's Board of Directors has approved a significant Joint Venture Agreement with M/s. Safran Electronics and Defence (SED), France for Project HAMMER during their meeting held on February 15, 2026. The operationalisation of the joint venture agreement provisions remains subject to regulatory and administrative approvals from both countries.
Joint Venture Structure and Purpose
The partnership will establish a Private Limited Company under the Companies Act, 2013, with the registered office and principal place of business located in Pune or any other mutually agreed location. The new entity will operate a "Center of Excellence" to function as a Technology cum Teaming Partner for the manufacturing, supply, maintenance and repair of the Guidance Kit (GK) of HAMMER Weapon System.
| Parameter: | Details |
|---|---|
| Partner Entity: | M/s. Safran Electronics and Defence (SED), France |
| Project Name: | Project HAMMER |
| Company Type: | Private Limited Company |
| Location: | Pune or mutually agreed location |
| Primary End Users: | Indian Air Force and Indian Navy |
Financial and Governance Framework
The joint venture will follow a balanced partnership approach with equal participation from both entities. The initial capital structure has been designed to accommodate future expansion based on operational requirements.
| Aspect: | Details |
|---|---|
| Shareholding Ratio: | 50:50 between BEL and SED |
| Initial Authorized Share Capital: | INR 1,00,000 (1,000 Equity Shares at INR 100 each) |
| Maximum Capital Limit: | INR 10,00,00,000 or other amount based on requirements |
| Board Composition: | 4 Directors (2 nominated by BEL, 2 by SED) |
| Chairman Role: | Appointed by nominees without casting vote |
Regulatory Compliance and Disclosures
The company has confirmed that the transaction does not fall within related party transactions and that the partnering entities are not related to promoter, promoter group, or group companies in any manner. The joint venture represents a strategic collaboration between the Indian defense manufacturer and the French aerospace and defense company.
The agreement establishes a framework for technology transfer and manufacturing capabilities specifically focused on the HAMMER weapon system's guidance components. While the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy are identified as primary end users, the agreement allows for inclusion of other end users in India through mutual consent.
Strategic Implications
This joint venture represents a significant step in defense manufacturing collaboration between India and France. The Center of Excellence model will enable technology sharing and local manufacturing capabilities for advanced weapon systems, aligning with India's defense manufacturing objectives.
The 50:50 partnership structure ensures balanced control and decision-making between both entities, while the scalable capital structure provides flexibility for future expansion based on project requirements and market opportunities.
Historical Stock Returns for Bharat Electronics
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +1.33% | -0.62% | +6.87% | +16.08% | +74.09% | +877.51% |


































