Opinion How Pralay Tactical Missile and Pinaka Rocket System Combination Could Be a Better Option for France's Long-Range Needs

The French Army is reportedly considering India's Pinaka rocket system as a potential replacement for its aging LRU M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). While the Pinaka offers a robust and reliable platform, its range falls short of the French Army's desired 500km reach. However, a combination of the Pinaka and India's Pralay tactical missile could provide a comprehensive solution for France's long-range artillery needs.

The LRU, a modernized version of the U.S.-origin M270, has been in service since the 1980s. Despite upgrades, its 70km range no longer meets the demands of modern warfare. The French Army seeks a system capable of striking targets up to 500km away, prompting their evaluation of the Indian-made Pinaka.

Developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Pinaka is a highly mobile, modular, and combat-proven system. With a range of 75km, extendable to 90km in its latest variant, the Pinaka offers rapid reload capability and diverse munition options, including high-explosive, incendiary, and fragmentation warheads. While it doesn't meet the 500km requirement, its reliability and versatility make it a strong contender for replacing the LRU.

To address the range limitations, the DRDO-developed Pralay tactical missile emerges as a complementary solution. With a range of 150-500km, Pralay delivers precision strikes on distant targets. This quasi-ballistic missile features maneuverability to evade defenses and can carry various payloads, including high-explosive and fragmentation warheads.

By combining the Pinaka and Pralay, the French Army could achieve a layered artillery capability. The Pinaka would provide effective fire support in medium-range engagements, while the Pralay would extend the strike capability to strategic depths. This approach offers both tactical flexibility and strategic reach, aligning with the evolving needs of modern warfare.

 

[Kira]

I don't know whether the French want a dedicated tactical ballistic missile that has a higher range and speed than rocket artillery but do cost a lot (rocket artillery itself is not exactly cheap), and can be produced in a relatively smaller numbers.
I think they just need a modern MLRS with higher range than the current but older M270 to match similar long Russian range systems like the Uran etc.

 

[Sandeep]

India should definitely advertise our weapons and also our under development weapons which will be ready soon.

The French might also be looking for a cheap and reliable rocket or missiles to reduce its own foreign expensive weapons import from the USA.