France Evaluating India’s Pinaka Rocket System for Its Needs

1. In a positive for the Indian defence exports and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, France is showing interest in purchasing Pinaka rocket system developed domestically in November 2024.
   1. The Pinaka rocket launcher, developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has already been purchased and used in conflicts by countries like Armenia.
2. A French team will soon visit India to check both the Pinaka launcher and the related ammunition.
3. This follows an earlier presentation of the Pinaka system by India to the French Army in February 2024, which the French officials found very interesting.

About Pinaka Rocket System: Name Origin: The Pinaka rocket system is named after Lord Shiva's bow, "Pinaka." Capabilities: Range: Pinaka can hit targets at distances of over 75 km, with variants achieving even greater ranges. Variants: Mark-I Enhanced: Maximum range of 45 km (28 mi). Mark-II ER: Maximum range of 90 km. Salvo: Capable of firing 12 High Explosive (HE) rockets per launcher in 44 seconds. Mobility: Mounted on a Tatra truck, providing mobility and rapid deployment. Notable Service: Armenia-Azerbaijan War: The system gained significant attention when it was used by Armenia during the conflict, showcasing its effectiveness in combat. Kargil War (1999): Pinaka saw its first major combat use during the Kargil War, where it successfully neutralized Pakistani positions on mountain tops. Export and Global Reach: Sale to Armenia: India signed a US $250M export contract for the sale of the Pinaka MBRLS (Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher System) to Armenia, marking a significant progress in India's defense exports. Indian Defense Exports: Since the PM Modi government took office in 2014, India's defense exports have grown by 3 times. France as a Key Partner: India discussed Pinaka with France during a high-level visit by India’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan. France is the 2nd-largest importer of Indian defense equipment, following the U.S., with a focus on electronics.

French Army’s Interest and Evaluation Process:

1. A senior officer in the French Army mentioned that France is considering India’s Pinaka system along with other options.
2. The officer added that a French team will soon come to India to evaluate the Pinaka system as part of a broader review of possible suppliers.

Key Points from the Officer’s Statement:

1. The French Army is looking at 3-4 leading providers of rocket launcher systems, including India’s Pinaka.
2. The evaluation process is still in the early stages, so it will take time to make a final decision.

French Rocket System and Need for a Replacement

1. Currently, the French Army uses the M270 Lance-Roquettes Unitaire (LRU) rocket system.
2. France has 13 upgraded systems, but due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, six of these systems have been sent to help Ukraine.
3. Now, France is looking for new rocket systems, and India’s Pinaka MBRL is one of the options being considered.

Pinaka’s Capabilities and International Demand

1. India’s Pinaka MBRL has already caught the attention of other countries.
2. Armenia has become the first foreign buyer of the Pinaka system.
3. The Indian Army currently has four Pinaka regiments, with plans to order six more.
4. As global demand for the Pinaka system increases, India is becoming a key player in the global defence market.

Defence Cooperation Between India and France:

While land defence cooperation between India and France may not be as visible as their

Air Force and Navy cooperation, it is growing steadily.

1. Exercise Shakti 2024: The 7th edition of Exercise Shakti was held in Meghalaya, focusing on high-altitude warfare. This exercise marked a major step in strengthening land defence cooperation between the two countries.
2. Bilateral Defence Cooperation:
   1. France and India are in advanced talks for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
   2. India is also negotiating to buy three more Scorpene-class submarines for its Navy.
   3. The two countries are discussing a joint project to develop a jet engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

Global Cooperation on Geopolitical Issues

1. The officer also spoke about the growing cooperation between India and France on global security matters.
2. Both countries work together in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), where they share a common approach to maintaining peace in the region.
3. India has 903 troops deployed with UNIFIL, while France has 665 troops.
4. The officer pointed out that both countries are aligned on important international law issues, especially in regions like Lebanon.

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