French defense contractor Safran will invest over 120 million euros to increase production of AASM Hammer laser-guided bombs, with deliveries set to rise to 2,000 units next year. The company delivered 200 bombs in 2022, over 1,400 in 2025, and plans to reach 2,000 by 2027.
The AASM Hammer (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) is a highly precise weapon developed over a decade ago for French Air and Space Force combat aircraft. It combines a guidance kit and a propulsion system integrated with a bomb, offering three versions: 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg.
Equipped with a target verification system independent of satellite and GPS signals, the bomb can strike targets at a range exceeding 70 km when launched from high altitude, with accuracy up to 10 meters. At lower altitudes, range decreases but precision improves to within one meter.
A weapon proven in Ukraine
Following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, demand for the AASM Hammer skyrocketed. Ukrainian aircraft now use this weapon, and Safran has ramped up production to meet urgent battlefield needs. The system’s independence from GPS makes it effective against electronic warfare countermeasures.
The bomb’s design allows it to be deployed from a variety of aircraft, including the Mirage 2000, Rafale, and modernized Ukrainian Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters. Its modular structure enables rapid adaptation to different mission profiles.
Production targets and costs
Safran’s new investment will primarily go toward expanding assembly lines and supply chains for critical components. The lightest version of the bomb costs around $80,000 per unit, making it a cost-effective precision strike solution compared to cruise missiles.
The company expects to maintain a production rate of 2,000 units per year beyond 2027, with potential further increases as more international clients express interest. In addition to France and Ukraine, India has signed contracts for the AASM Hammer for its fighter fleet.
The expansion aligns with broader European efforts to bolster defense industrial capacity amid ongoing security challenges on the continent.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Artville 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons / CC 4.0 BY-SA
