India’s Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher System (MBRLS) is gaining traction on the international defense stage, recently being selected by Armenia to enhance its defense capabilities against Azerbaijan. The Pinaka system, which has been described as comparable to the American HIMARS, is being evaluated by France for integration into its land forces, according to Brigadier General Stephane Richou of the French Army, who is currently visiting India.
Brigadier Richou emphasized that the evaluation of Pinaka represents more than a mere business transaction; it signifies a deepening cooperation between India and France. He noted that the two nations have established a strategic partnership that involves sharing military equipment such as Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines. “For us, the industry of Indian defense is very effective,” he stated, highlighting an interest in both India’s indigenous defense capabilities and those of other leading nations providing military technology.
The relationship between France and India in the defense sector has been cemented further with a recent agreement during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit at the beginning of 2024. This agreement aims for joint production of defense equipment, including helicopters and submarines, tailored specifically for the Indian armed forces and other allied nations. Moreover, French company Safran plans to establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul services in India for advanced aviation propulsion engines, including those used by Rafale jets.
Originally developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Pinaka system has been a prominent fixture in India’s arsenal. The enhanced version, tested successfully in November 2020, boasts a free-flight artillery rocket system with a quick reaction time and an impressive rate of fire. It can launch 12 rockets within 44 seconds, allowing a rapid and flexible response in conflict scenarios.
The Pinaka system’s design was influenced by the need for artillery systems to adapt to modern warfare conditions where drone threats are prevalent. Its “Shoot-and-Scoot” capability ensures that it can evade counterattacks after firing, thus enhancing survivability on the battlefield. Pinaka’s operational versatility allows for independent operation of its launchers, which can fire in various directions based on tactical requirements.
The significance of the Pinaka system was proven during the 1999 Kargil conflict, where it was instrumental in neutralizing enemy positions. With a growing range of operations since, the Pinaka system is now crucial for the Indian Army, particularly along its borders with China and Pakistan.
France, positioned as India’s second-largest defense supplier after Russia, has consistently upheld its commitment to India’s defense needs. Amidst the geopolitical shifts following the Ukraine war, which have complicated India’s defense acquisition from Russia, the collaboration with France has become increasingly important.
Recent years have seen India emerge as a critical customer in the French arms market, accounting for nearly 29 percent of French arms exports between 2017 and 2021. The Indian Air Force’s choice to procure Rafale jets significantly boosted France’s standing in the global arms market, making it a formidable competitor against long-established arms exporting nations like Russia and the United States.
As ties between India and France continue to strengthen, the military collaboration, particularly concerning advanced systems such as the Pinaka, is seen as a pivotal development in both nations’ defense strategies.
