In November 2024, India initiated exporting its domestically developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) systems to Armenia, marking a key moment in its defense export efforts, as reported by IDRW. This delivery, part of a contract finalized after two years of negotiations, highlights the strengthening defense partnership between the two nations and India’s increasing prominence in the global arms market.
The Pinaka MBRL, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with private companies and public sector firms like Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), is a mobile and versatile artillery system designed for rapid deployment and effective firepower. Primarily employed for bombardment, it targets enemy positions, infrastructure, and troop concentrations with precision and range. Since its induction, Pinaka has undergone significant advancements, resulting in variants that enhance range, accuracy, and payload options to meet modern battlefield demands.
The Pinaka Mk-I, the system’s initial version, has a range of up to 40 kilometers and supports multiple warheads. It delivers high-explosive (HE) munitions for impactful blast and fragmentation effects, effective against personnel and lightly fortified targets. Additionally, it can deploy anti-tank mines to create defensive perimeters and incendiary warheads capable of igniting fuel or other flammable materials. With each rocket carrying approximately 100 kilograms of explosives, the Mk-I delivers concentrated firepower for various operational scenarios.