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False claim of France rejecting Pinaka Rocket System over performance issues goes viral

DFRAC Editor April 22, 2025
False Claim: France Rejected Pinaka Rocket System Over Performance Issues

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.

A misleading claim debunked by DFRAC is shown in this composite image featuring a tweet from the account 'Tactical Tribune'. The tweet falsely alleges that France has rejected India’s indigenous Pinaka Rocket System due to dissatisfaction with its performance and specifications. The image includes the tweet's text, a photo of French President Emmanuel Macron, an image of a military rocket system marked with a red 'X', and the DFRAC logo stamped with a bold red label reading 'MISLEADING'. The background features a missile launch, emphasizing the defense and military context. The image is branded with the DFRAC logo in the top-right corner, signifying a fact-checking effort against disinformation related to defense news.

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.

A tweet from the Twitter account 'Tactical Tribune' falsely claims that France has rejected India's Pinaka Rocket System due to dissatisfaction with its performance and specifications. The tweet, dated April 21, 2025, includes a collage image showing a military rocket launch with a red 'X' marked over the Pinaka launcher, implying rejection. Also featured is a photo of French President Emmanuel Macron and a screenshot of a supposed news headline suggesting France is prioritizing its own artillery development. The tweet includes Indian and French flags and emojis representing rejection. The post has garnered significant engagement with over 1,300 views. This image and claim have been labeled as misleading by fact-checkers.

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.

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