New Delhi: In a strategic move that could redefine Indo-French defence ties, India is advancing towards a massive deal to acquire 114 advanced Rafale fighter jets from France, valued at approximately ₹3.25 lakh crore.
This potential agreement, poised to be one of the largest in India’s arms procurement history, comes amid growing interest from Paris in New Delhi’s indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, signalling a rare ‘mega exchange’ in global military trade.
Sources indicate that France’s high-level delegation recently visited India to evaluate the Pinaka’s performance, including its launchers and ammunition. Developed entirely by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) using homegrown technology, the Pinaka stands out for its cost-effectiveness and rapid-fire capabilities. Priced at around ₹2.3 crore per unit — nearly eight times cheaper than the American HIMARS system at ₹19.5 crore — the Pinaka can unleash 12 rockets in just 44 seconds from a single launcher, outpacing HIMARS’s six rockets in 45 seconds.
While HIMARS boasts a superior range of 300-499 km, the Pinaka’s current variants offer 75-90 km, with the Mk-3 extending to 120-130 km and the upcoming Mk-4 aiming for 300 km. Its versatility shines in diverse terrains — from deserts to mountains — and features like ‘shoot and scoot’ make it elusive to enemies. Already proven in the Kargil War and exported to Armenia, the Pinaka ranks among the top five multi-barrel rocket systems globally.
Defence experts note that if the deal materialises, it would mark a significant milestone for India’s arms exports, especially for a NATO member like France, which seeks to upgrade its ageing M270 systems. “France and India are engaged in high-level discussions about Pinaka,” according to informed sources, adding that “this could be a major boost for India’s defence capabilities on the world stage.”
The Rafale proposal has cleared the Defence Acquisition Council and is awaiting final Cabinet approval before detailed negotiations on technology and pricing commence.