French Military Delegation to Visit India for Live-Fire Evaluation of Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher System

In a significant boost for India's burgeoning defence industry, a French military delegation is set to visit India to conduct a live-fire evaluation of the indigenously developed Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system. This move signals growing international recognition of India's capabilities in developing advanced defence technologies.

Developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), the Pinaka MBRL is a highly versatile artillery system designed to provide rapid and accurate fire support to ground forces. The system has garnered praise for its performance and adaptability, meeting the stringent requirements of the Indian armed forces and attracting attention from international observers.

The Pinaka MBRL boasts several key features that make it a formidable artillery system:

• Versatile Ammunition: The system can fire a range of munitions, including high-explosive fragmentation, incendiary, and anti-personnel rounds, making it adaptable to diverse combat situations.
• Extended Range: With a maximum range of up to 90 kilometers, the Pinaka provides significant firepower over long distances. It can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in just 44 seconds, delivering a devastating blow to enemy targets.
• High Mobility: Mounted on a 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis, the Pinaka is highly mobile and can be rapidly deployed across various terrains. This mobility allows for quick relocation after firing, enhancing survivability on the battlefield.
• Enhanced Accuracy: Newer versions of the Pinaka are equipped with advanced guidance systems, significantly improving accuracy and minimizing collateral damage.

France's interest in the Pinaka system highlights a growing trend of international defence forces looking to India for advanced weaponry. The success of systems like the Pinaka has solidified India's position as a reliable defence supplier. For France, a key defence partner of India, the Pinaka could provide a valuable addition to its artillery capabilities.

This evaluation could potentially lead to deeper collaboration between India and France in the defence sector. Both countries have a history of cooperation, exemplified by the Rafale fighter jet acquisition and joint missile development programs. The Pinaka evaluation opens up possibilities for joint development or customization of the system to meet specific French military requirements.

 

[Satya Dev]

Just imagine the export potential had we been ready with the 120km guided PinakaMk3 & Solar Industries' Maheshwarastr1&2 rockets with ranges of 150km & 250-300km respectively?
We also need to ramp up the annual production rate of rockets for Pinaka 1&2 for exports.

 

[Instant Karma]

Ok. We can do a barter trade for Rafale fighters with pinaka missiles systems

 

[WarTech]

Ok. We can do a barter trade for Rafale fighters with pinaka missiles systems

Not gonna happen lil bro. They wouldn't lower their own number of jets cause Rafale has backlogs and can't be replenished.

 

[DrEaDlOcK]

Itz kinda long shot but imagine if A European + NATO country orders a Indian weapon aft trials. This would be the biggest publicity & marketing (free) which might land us even more orders from ME region, Africa. Don't know what exactly varient is being evaluated but 90km guided should be shown in trial my personal opinion. Now the biggest hurdle/challenger would be SK which a previous history of selling equipment to nato countries thus France could ask fellow partners about the performance & other aft sales services feedback from them.

 

[Akshat]

Not gonna happen lil bro. They wouldn't lower their own number of jets cause Rafale has backlogs and can't be replenished.

They have a huge surplus in fact of production capacity. About 100 excess planes can be produced by 2034, assuming no other orders come.

 

[WarTech]

They have a huge surplus in fact of production capacity. About 100 excess planes can be produced by 2034, assuming no other orders come.

While your timeline is correct, the number of excess planes will be far below hundred, unless they open another line. And French AF isn't that stupid to lose capability when they can perfectly get it by simply buying it with cash. If they decide to barter, then it would be an utterly idiotic deal (for them ofcourse).

 

[Akshat]

While your timeline is correct, the number of excess planes will be far below hundred, unless they open another line. And French AF isn't that stupid to lose capability when they can perfectly get it by simply buying it with cash. If they decide to barter, then it would be an utterly idiotic deal (for them ofcourse).

Nope. I am talking about current numbers bro. They are planning to make 20 this year, and some 3 per month sometime next year. And they have already reached there at the component level. So the supply chain constraints have been resolved. So that means some 50 planes this year and next combined, and then 36 for 9 years. That’s over 350 planes, which is a surplus of well over 100 planes.

Also, no one really barters. Even barters involve cash or stuff like gold. Barter just means that one deal is done in exchange for another. I can’t recall any pure barter deal done in the last 3 or 4 decades. I mean, someone is gonna pay the salaries and stuff. I mean, Dassault and Safran and many companies involved in Pinaka are all private industries. So you would have to pay them hard cash. The best case scenario here is that Indian government pays in cash but to Indian companies, and French government does the same on their side. So cash will still go out. But it is highly u likely that France can export Pinaka to the tune of 10s of billions. So cash payments will be there.