France And Norway Back €500M AASM Hammer Guided Bomb Deal For Ukraine
France and Norway have signed a €500 million agreement to finance, produce, and supply Ukraine with the AASM Hammer guided bomb, expanding Europe’s precision strike support for Kyiv as the war enters another critical year.
Under the agreement, France aims to deliver more than 1,000 AASM Hammer guided bombs to Ukraine in 2026. The deal combines French production capacity with Norwegian financial backing, reflecting continued European coordination on advanced munitions supply.
French defense officials confirmed the arrangement as part of Paris’ broader military assistance framework for Ukraine. Norway’s participation underscores its ongoing role in funding high-impact capabilities for Ukrainian forces.
What Is The AASM Hammer Guided Bomb?
The AASM Hammer guided bomb, produced by French defense company Safran, is a modular precision-guided munition designed for stand-off strike missions.
AASM stands for Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, a French air-to-ground modular weapon. The system combines:
- A guidance kit mounted on the front section
- A range extension and propulsion kit attached to the rear
- Compatibility with multiple bomb body weights, typically 250 kg
The AASM Hammer guided bomb can use inertial navigation, GPS guidance, and optional infrared or laser seekers, depending on the variant. This allows it to strike both fixed and moving targets with high accuracy.
The weapon is operational with the French Air and Space Force and has been integrated on aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale. Ukraine has adapted the system for use on Soviet-era platforms, including modified MiG-29 aircraft, according to previous statements from French defense authorities.
Expanding Precision Strike Capacity For Ukraine
The new €500 million package significantly increases Ukraine’s access to Western precision-guided munitions.
Since 2023, France has supplied AASM Hammer guided bombs to Ukraine in smaller batches. The new agreement formalizes large-scale production and delivery, aiming to stabilize supply rather than rely on ad hoc transfers.
French officials have previously described the AASM as particularly suited for contested environments due to its stand-off range, which can exceed 50 kilometers depending on launch conditions. This allows Ukrainian aircraft to release munitions outside the immediate reach of certain short- and medium-range air defense systems.
Norway has played an active role in supporting Ukraine through financial mechanisms and joint procurement initiatives with European partners. By contributing to the financing of the AASM Hammer guided bomb program, Oslo is helping accelerate production capacity within France’s defense industry.
Industrial And Strategic Implications
The agreement reflects a broader European trend toward scaling up munitions production in response to sustained demand from Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly called for expanding Europe’s defense industrial base to meet long-term security challenges. Increasing output of systems such as the AASM Hammer guided bomb aligns with those objectives.
For Norway, the deal strengthens bilateral defense cooperation with France while reinforcing NATO’s collective support for Kyiv. Both countries are NATO members, and their joint action signals continued alliance cohesion despite ongoing political and economic pressures across Europe.
Analysts note that precision-guided air-launched munitions are critical for Ukraine’s ability to conduct deep strikes against logistics hubs, ammunition depots, and command nodes. Reliable access to such systems reduces reliance on unguided bombs and improves operational efficiency.
Integration And Operational Use
Ukraine’s integration of Western munitions onto legacy Soviet-designed aircraft has required engineering adaptation and software modifications. French authorities previously confirmed that Ukrainian aircraft were successfully deploying AASM systems after integration work completed in 2024.
The AASM Hammer guided bomb offers flexibility in target engagement, including:
- Hardened infrastructure
- Ammunition storage sites
- Tactical positions
- Mobile battlefield targets when laser-guided variants are used
Its modular design allows rapid configuration depending on mission requirements.
While exact delivery timelines remain undisclosed beyond the annual target, French officials have indicated that industrial production is being accelerated to meet commitments.
Broader Context Of European Military Aid
The France and Norway agreement comes amid continued European pledges of advanced weapons and funding packages for Ukraine. Several EU and NATO members have emphasized the need to move from short-term transfers to structured, multi-year procurement and production contracts.
The AASM Hammer guided bomb deal illustrates that shift, pairing financial guarantees with sustained manufacturing output.
As the conflict continues, precision air-launched munitions remain central to Ukraine’s operational planning. The €500 million program positions France as a key supplier of advanced air-to-ground weapons within Europe’s broader security response.
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