India Strikes ‘Big Deal’ With Armenia; To Export Indigenous Pinaka Missiles Amid Conflict With Azerbaijan

 India is set to export its indigenously developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL) for the first time. Pinaka has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by indigenous private sector firms.

India is set to export one of its prized possessions, the “Pinaka” missile system, to conflict-ridden Armenia, just days after recording the highest-ever defense export that swelled by a staggering 334% over the last five years.As Armenia grapples with managing a surge in violence with Azerbaijan in a new flare-up of tensions, India has decided to export missiles, rockets, and ammunition, including indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, Economic Times reported. The system figured in India’s export list published in February 2021.

The Ministry of Defense authorized the export of weapons via a government-to-government channel, under which the two countries signed agreements to deliver weapons and ammunition to Armenia earlier this month.

Azerbaijan, for one, has received backing from its traditional allies and supporters, Turkey and Israel. During the 2020 skirmish between the two combatants, Baku turned the tide in its favor by overwhelmingly deploying Turkish Bayraktar and Israeli kamikaze drones.

While Armenia has often turned to Russia for support, Moscow’s preoccupation with war against Ukraine has garnered limited assistance. In the face of rising hostilities and little military aid, a deal with India for rocket systems and another armament would prove to be a shot in the arm for a beleaguered Armenia.

The deal also comes when India has recorded its highest-ever defense export and is chasing an even higher target. By 2025, the Defense Ministry wants to produce 1.75 lakh crores of weapons, including 35,000 crores (roughly $5 billion at an exchange rate of 1:70) for export.

Pinaka Export Debut With Armenian Contract

India is set to export its indigenously developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers for the first time. Pinaka has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by indigenous private sector firms.

Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher primarily developed for the Indian Army. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Each Pinaka battery has six launchers, 12 rockets, and the DIGICORA MET radar. A battery of six launchers can neutralize an area measuring 1000metersx800meters.

While the deal’s value has not been disclosed, the report claims armament worth $250 million would be sold over the next few monthsThis disclosure comes days after India called on the “aggressor side” in fresh fighting along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border to “immediately cease hostilities” without directly naming Azerbaijan. Fighting erupted between the two sides on September 13 over the lingering Nagorno-Karabakh region dispute.