NEW DELHI: In a big boost for India’s arms exports, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday flagged off from a facility in Nagpur the first batch of guided Pinaka rocket system bound for Armenia.The export of the multi-barrel rocket launcher, renowned for its accuracy and extended range, signalled India’s emergence as a reliable supplier of cutting-edge defence technology. The Pinaka launchers, which are highly capable weapon systems with variants that can strike targets at up to 75 km — the latest trial version can even touch a range of 120km — have been increasingly promoted by India as part of its growing arms exports.Rajnath said the export of Pinaka missiles developed at Solar Defence & Aerospace facility have begun, demonstrating the capabilities of the defence industry. “India is no longer just an importer but is rapidly moving towards becoming an exporter,” he said. The minister said that due to increasing participation of the private sector, India’s defence exports, which were at less than Rs 1,000 crore 10 years ago, have now reached a record Rs 24,000 crore. Domestic defence production, which stood at just Rs 46,425 crore in 2014, has grown to a record Rs 1.51 lakh crore now, he added.The Indian Army has already inducted Pinaka Mk-I Enhanced variant (EPRS) after successfully completing trials in April 2022. Originally built with a 37.5-km range, Pinaka has been upgraded over time to deliver greater range and effectiveness. In a proposal worth around Rs 2,500 crore, the Army is now looking to induct 120-km strike range rockets. The new 120-km strike range rockets, whose trial was conducted in Dec 2025, would be capable of being launched from the same launcher which at present can hit targets at 40 km and 75-plus km.In Sept 2022, Armenia had signed an agreement worth Rs 2,000 crore (approx. $250 million) with India for four Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher batteries along with anti-tank rockets, ammunition and other equipment. The deal included multi-barrel launch systems as well as guided rockets designed to enhance precision strike capabilities. Deliveries of the initial Pinaka unguided systems started in July 2023 and concluded by Nov 2024. Now, the first batch of Pinaka guided rockets has been flagged off from the Nagpur facility.While Armenia is its first confirmed buyer, several other nations, including some in Southeast Asia and Europe like France, have expressed keen interest in acquiring the Pinaka system.DRDO started the development of Pinaka in the late 1980s, as an alternative to the multi-barrel rocket launching systems of Russian make, like the ‘Grad’, which are still in use. DRDO is now producing the Pinaka systems with support from Indian entities like Tata Advanced Systems, Solar Industries, Munitions India Ltd and Economic Explosives Ltd.Besides Pinaka, India is offering for exports its indigenous Akash missile shield, especially after the world saw its mettle in Op Sindoor. Here too, Armenia, which has been in border conflict with Azerbaijan, was the first buyer, receiving the first battery in Nov 2024 under a $720 million deal for 15 missile systems. Other countries like the Philippines, Brazil, Egypt, and Vietnam have also shown interest in the Akash shield.
