In a first, India's second-largest arms supplier, France, is expected to buy Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system.
France is reportedly in advanced stages of talks for the purchase of the rocket launcher. If this deal goes through, it would be the first time that France buys weapons from India.
According to news agency Reuters, the capabilities of the Pinaka rocket system, designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), were demonstrated to a French delegation in India a few months ago and they found it to be satisfactory.
Ummalaneni Raja Babu, the director general of missiles and strategic systems at DRDO was quoted as saying that France is in active talks for procurement of Pinaka.
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"A deal has not been reached yet, but the talks are continuing," he said.
Babu further said the Pinaka rocket launcher system, used by the Indian Army and deployed in the 1999 India-Pakistan war is also being enhanced with longer ranges. The Pinaka system has a maximum range of 45 km for the Mark-I Enhanced version and 90 km for the Mark-II ER version.
France has become a key defense partner for India, with talks underway on New Delhi purchasing 26 Rafale fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines. Officials said discussions are at the final phase and the deal could be inked in a few weeks.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to France, talks are likely about accelerating the procurement of these jets and submarines. However, it is not clear if France's intention to procure the rocket system will figure in the talks.
