France will almost double its production of AASM Hammer guided aircraft bombs for Ukraine in 2025, increasing output from 830 in 2024 to 1,200 units next year. The AASM, a high precision air-to-surface bomb developed by the French defence company Safran, has quickly become one of the most valuable assets in Ukraine’s fight against the ongoing Russian invasion. French officials have confirmed this increase in supply as part of their continued military support to Kyiv.
These so-called “smart” bombs have been adapted to suit Ukrainian MiG and Su fighter jets. Originally made for French Rafale aircraft, the AASM bombs were modified and made operational for Ukrainian aircraft in under four months in late 2023, after American-supplied JDAM GPS-guided bombs proved inaccurate on the battlefield. The French Ministry of Defence stepped in quickly, requesting Safran to adapt the technology to Ukrainian needs.
Each AASM system consists of advanced navigation and jet modules installed on traditional bombs. This technology allows the weapon to strike moving or stationary targets with great precision even when under GPS jamming — a frequent tactic of the Russian military. The guidance system, based on inertial navigation using gyroscopes, ensures accuracy even in hostile electronic environments.
The system can carry warheads weighing between 250 and 1,000 kilograms and can engage multiple targets at different altitudes simultaneously. According to Safran President Franck Saudo, the weapon is capable of delivering both pinpoint strikes and more extensive bombardments.
Currently, France is delivering around 50 of these bombs to Ukraine each month. With growing demand from Kyiv, Paris has now pledged to raise its annual output to meet Ukrainian operational requirements more effectively.
The AASM has been praised by both Ukrainian and American military experts, who have referred to it as a “miracle weapon” in the context of modern warfare. The bombs’ resistance to electronic interference and precise targeting capabilities make them a vital component of Ukraine’s air defence strategy against the continued aggression by the Russian dictator’s forces.
France’s overall defence support to Ukraine includes a broader military aid package valued at 2 billion euros (£1.7 billion) announced earlier in 2025, further solidifying its role as a critical ally to Kyiv as the war drags into its third year.
