India to Acquire Hammer Bombs, Anti-Tank Missiles for Rs 5,000 Crore
India's defence forces are set to boost their arsenal with new Hammer bombs and anti-tank missiles, under a significant acquisition deal.
Source: GNews DRDO WeaponsThe Indian Ministry of Defence is expected to approve a major defence acquisition deal worth approximately Rs 5,000 crore. This deal includes the procurement of 600 Hammer bombs and a large number of anti-tank missiles. The Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) bombs are precision-guided munitions developed by Safran Sagem of France. These bombs can be launched from various aircraft, including the Rafale fighter jets, and are known for their ability to hit hardened targets with high accuracy. The anti-tank missiles will enhance the Indian Army's capability to counter armoured threats. This acquisition aims to strengthen India's defence preparedness and modernize its military equipment, ensuring the armed forces have advanced weaponry to meet current and future security challenges.
This news is important for competitive exams under the 'Defence' and 'Science & Technology' sections, particularly for UPSC GS Paper III (Internal Security) and SSC General Awareness. It highlights India's ongoing efforts in defence modernization, indigenous production, and strategic partnerships. Aspirants should note the types of weapons, their origin, and the financial outlay, as these are common factual questions in exams. Understanding such deals provides insight into India's defence policy and self-reliance initiatives.
- The defence deal is valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore.
- India plans to acquire 600 Hammer bombs.
- Hammer bombs are precision-guided munitions from France.
- Hammer bombs are manufactured by Safran Sagem.
- The deal also includes a significant number of anti-tank missiles.
- Hammer bombs can be launched from Rafale fighter jets.
Hammer (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a precision-guided air-to-ground missile. It is developed by Safran Sagem of France. It can be launched from various fighter aircraft, including the Rafale, and is designed to destroy hardened targets like bunkers and command centres with high accuracy, even in adverse weather conditions.
An anti-tank missile (ATM) is a guided missile designed to destroy heavily armoured military vehicles, such as tanks. These missiles can be launched from infantry, vehicles, or aircraft. They use various guidance systems, including wire-guided, laser-guided, or 'fire-and-forget' infrared systems, to ensure accuracy against moving targets.
The Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. It is capable of carrying out a wide range of short and long-range missions, including ground and sea attacks, air defence, deep strike, and nuclear deterrence. India acquired 36 Rafale jets from France.
UPSC and SSC often ask about defence deals, names of weapons, their origin countries, and the organizations involved. Focus on the 'who, what, where' of defence acquisitions and their strategic implications.
Remember 'HAMMER' for 'Highly Agile Munition' it hits targets with precision, like a hammer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Hammer bombs for India's defence?
Hammer bombs significantly enhance India's precision strike capabilities. These French-made munitions allow Indian Air Force jets, especially Rafales, to accurately hit hardened targets from a safe distance, improving operational effectiveness and reducing pilot risk in various combat scenarios.
Which country manufactures the Hammer bombs?
Hammer bombs are manufactured by Safran Sagem, a French high-technology company. This acquisition highlights India's continued defence cooperation with France, a key strategic partner in military technology and equipment.
What types of anti-tank missiles does the Indian Army use?
The Indian Army uses a variety of anti-tank missiles, including both imported and indigenously developed systems. Prominent examples include the Milan 2T and Konkurs missiles. The new acquisition will further bolster its anti-armour capabilities against modern threats.