France to Buy Indian Weapons in Exchange for Rafale, a Strategic Poke at America

Rafale Deal With France: India has changed. Today, India is not only a buyer of weapons but also an exporter of weapons developed by indigenous scientists. This export is no longer limited to third-world countries. Even developed countries are now becoming admirers of Indian weapons. In this regard, France also wants to purchase one of India’s most advanced systems. A high-powered committee has already visited India to this end.

Indeed, India is moving towards a deal with France for 114 4.5+ generation Rafale aircraft. This is a deal worth approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore. This is possibly the largest deal in India’s arms procurement history. Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council of the Ministry of Defence approved this deal. Now, the Cabinet Committee on Security will give its approval. Then, discussions will take place with France regarding the technical aspects and pricing of this deal. It is believed that in exchange for the Rafale deal, France wants to purchase one of India’s most advanced systems for its army. Experts say that after the Rafale deal, France also wants to elevate its military relations with India to new heights. To do this, it wants to purchase Indian weapons, which are among the best in the world in every respect.

Pinaka Rocket System

Actually, we are talking about the Pinaka rocket system. This is India’s most advanced rocket system, which competes strongly with any system in its category. This system directly competes with the American HIMARS rocket system and the Russian Tornado-S. According to reports, high-level negotiations are underway between France and India for the Pinaka rocket system. Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher system. If this deal is finalized, it will be a major boost to India’s arms exports. France is a developed country, a major player in the global arms market, a member of NATO, and a superpower. Therefore, if France trusts the Indian system, it will be a significant boost to the reliability of India’s weapons.

A high-level French delegation recently visited India to acquire the Pinaka rocket system. The team evaluated the system’s performance, launcher, and ammunition. France is seeking to upgrade its army’s aging M270 Lance Rockets Unitaires system, which is the same rocket system used by the French Army. France is also developing its own rocket system, the Frap Long Porte Terrestre System, but this will take considerable time. Therefore, to meet the army’s needs until then, it wants to purchase the Pinaka.

Why Pinaka?

The Pinaka is a highly cost-effective rocket system, while its quality rivals the American system HIMARS. It has been in service with the Indian Army for nearly three decades and has been continuously upgraded. It demonstrated its capabilities in the Kargil War. Armenia has already purchased this system from India. Its current version has a range of 75 to 90 km. India has developed the Pinaka Mk3. The range of this system is 120 to 130 km. Work is also underway on the Pinaka Mk4, which is expected to have a range of up to 300 km. Compared to American rocket systems, a single Pinaka system costs only ₹23 million (approximately ₹23 million), while the American system costs approximately ₹195 million (approximately ₹1.95 million). This represents an eight-fold price difference.

Pinaka’s key strength is its firing speed.

• It is an excellent system for mountainous and high-altitude areas.
• Pinaka wreaks havoc wherever it strikes.
• A single launcher can fire 12 rockets in just 44 seconds.
• A full battery consists of six launchers, firing 72 rockets per minute.
• It can completely destroy an area of ​​one square kilometer.
• It has multi-directional firing capability.
• Each launcher can fire rockets in different directions simultaneously.
• Thus, it can engage targets in any direction from a single position.
• It is equally effective in plains, deserts, and mountains.
• Pinaka is a rocket launcher with shoot-and-scut capability.
• This means it rapidly repositions after firing.
• This makes it virtually impossible for the enemy to target this rocket launcher.
• It has four different operation modes: autonomous, stand-alone, remote, and manual.

Price is the biggest strength

Pinaka’s biggest strength is its affordable price. It is significantly lower than Western rocket systems. A single Pinaka system costs only ₹23 million (23 million rupees), while its American competitor costs ₹195 million (195 million rupees). DRDO has developed it entirely indigenously. There is no dependence on foreign sources for any of its components.

Is Pinaka the best rocket system?

No system can be declared the best among military equipment. This is determined by your needs and capabilities. As for the Pinaka, its price, firepower, and effectiveness in every battlefield make it the best in its category. It has consistently ranked among the top five in global rankings for multi-barrel rocket systems. Its range isn’t very long. The American system has a range of 300 to 499 km, while the Russian system has a range of 120-200 km. However, the Pinaka’s rapid fire capability outweighs the American system. It fires 12 rockets in 44 seconds, while the American HIMARS fires six rockets in 45 seconds. It is a better-proven rocket system. Its most significant advantage is that, based on its firepower, it can destroy an area of ​​one square kilometer in roughly half the time of the American rocket system.