The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) is an advanced artillery system developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to replace older Soviet-era systems. Designed for rapid and high-volume firepower, it can launch 12 rockets in under 44 seconds, covering targets up to 90 km away, depending on the variant. First deployed during the 1999 Kargil War, Pinaka has since become a cornerstone of India’s artillery regiments, with ongoing enhancements including guided versions and extended-range variants. India has also begun exporting the system, marking a significant milestone in its defense manufacturing capabilities.
A claim has been shared by Pakistan-based accounts stating that France has rejected India’s Pinaka Rocket System, as France is not satisfied with the performance and specs.
Fact Check
Upon investigation, we found the claim to be misleading. According to a media report by Hindustan Times, in November 2024, Brigadier General Stéphane Richou of the French Army confirmed that France is “evaluating the Pinaka multi‑barrel rocket launcher system” alongside other global contenders, emphasizing India’s emergence as a major defence producer.
Multiple outlets (Reuters, The Defense Post) reported on February 10, 2025, that “France is in advanced talks with India to buy the Pinaka MBRL system,” marking potentially the first French procurement of Indian‑made weaponry.
However, in a recent report by EurAsia Times (12 April 2025), a piece titled “Setback For India’s Pinaka? Report Says France, Once Keen On DRDO’s MBLRS, Is Working On Its ‘Own HIMARS” argues that France’s decision to develop a domestic HIMARS‑style system by mid‑2026 signals a waning of earlier interest in India’s Pinaka launcher. However, while it notes France’s strategic pivot toward its indigenous solution, it does not cite any French statement explicitly rejecting Pinaka on performance grounds.
While France is also assessing other systems, such as the U.S.-made HIMARS and the Israeli PULS, the Pinaka remains under active consideration. There is no official statement or credible report indicating that France has rejected the Pinaka system due to performance issues.
Conclusion
The claim that France has rejected India’s Pinaka rocket system due to dissatisfaction with its performance and specifications is misleading. While France is developing a domestic HIMARS-style system and evaluating other international options, there is no official statement or credible evidence to suggest that Pinaka was rejected on performance grounds.
