Throughout 2024, the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine actively utilized the guided bombs AASM Hammer-250 weighing 250 kilograms received as part of assistance from France. It is already indicated that while the Armed Forces were expected to receive 600 bombs of this type this year, by 2025 the production volume is projected to increase to 1200 units, effectively doubling the output.
In this context, it is worth noting that France also has a variant of the AASM Hammer that weighs 1000 kilograms. Moreover, this particular weapon system has already reached an important milestone.
As reported by the French portal Opex360, citing data from the specialized magazine Air Fan, the French Air Force plans to achieve full integration of the AASM Hammer-1000 guided bomb with the latest Rafale F4 by the end of 2024.
Up to this point, a series of tests has taken place at the "Mont-de-Marsan" testing center (Le Centre d’expertise aérienne militaire [CEAM] de Mont-de-Marsan), covering all possible aspects of deploying such a bomb from the Rafale. These tests notably revealed that one Rafale F4 can carry three 1000-kilogram AASM Hammer-1000 bombs.
Furthermore, during these tests, all possible aspects of using the AASM Hammer-1000 with the Rafale F4 were evaluated, including the bomb release process, the physical sensations experienced by the crew, and the maximum engagement range and aiming angles.
Initially, the French Air Force anticipated that the entire testing process for the AASM Hammer-1000, which began back in 2020, would conclude by 2022; however, we see that the timeline has "shifted to the right" by two years.
On the other hand, if the French military aviation is already confirming its readiness to deploy the AASM Hammer-1000, it likely indicates an increased availability of this type of guided bomb, especially for transfer as part of military assistance from France to Ukraine.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that in November 2024, France officially confirmed how many air defense systems it has provided, along with details regarding the Mirage 2000 and SCALP-EG missiles. Additionally, we also discussed what is known about adapting our Su-25 aircraft for the French AASM Hammer and what draws attention.