'Pinaka': Game-changer for Indian defence export

The arms trade is one of the world's largest businesses. Although transactions are made between countries, weapons are manufactured by private companies in foreign countries. There are also weapons manufactured by government companies. This sector is also notorious for high commissions and corruption.Despite extensive investigations, tracing the actual culprits has proven difficult. Even countries that cannot afford weapons will buy weapons. Although weapons are provided, no country will transfer the technology used to manufacture them. The technology is not transferred due to concerns that if it is transferred, the importing country will use it to manufacture weapons on its own.

Until five years ago, India was one of the largest importers of weapons in the world. However, now India has become one of the 25 major arms exporters. There is a high demand for Indian-made BrahMos missiles, Pinaka rocket systems, Dornier aircraft, etc. However, first-tier foreign countries have not shown much interest in the war materials manufactured in India. Prime Minister Modi's visit to France is rewriting that history. France, which sells cutting-edge weapons to countries around the world, will sign an agreement to buy India's own multi-barrel Pinaka rocket launcher. France is India's main defence partner. This is the first time they are planning to buy weapons from us.

Three months ago, a French delegation had visited the Nagpur factory to evaluate the operation of Pinaka. Pinaka was developed by DRDO. The speciality of Pinaka is its low cost, flawless, and accurate strike capability. The price of a regiment is Rs 430 crore. Although France had initially considered Israel's Pulse Rocket System, it changed its decision after the Gaza war. Apart from France, countries like Indonesia, Armenia, and Vietnam have also expressed interest in buying Pinaka. The Pinaka system has the capacity to fire 12 missiles in 44 seconds. The modified Pinaka rocket system can fire missiles at an enemy base up to 75 km away. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India's Pinaka launcher becoming part of the French army will strengthen defence ties between the two countries.

The two countries are cooperating in the production of missiles, submarines, helicopters, jet engines, etc. The two leaders decided to continue strategic cooperation in the fields of defence, civil, nuclear, energy, space, and artificial intelligence during their bilateral talks in Paris. Modi has also invited Emmanuel Macron to visit India.

With France buying weapons from India, the demand for Indian weapons in the international arms market is likely to surge. India is already exporting defence equipment to more than 100 countries. It is targeting a revenue of 50,000 crores through defence exports by 2029.