India dispatches first batch of Pinaka guided rockets to Armenia in a big defence export boost

India has taken a big step in its defence export journey after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first consignment of guided Pinaka rockets bound for Armenia on Sunday. The ceremony was held at a manufacturing facility in Nagpur.

The export of the guided Pinaka systems—the latest variant of India’s indigenous multi-barrel rocket launcher—is part of a larger deal between India and Armenia. Signed in September 2022, the agreement, worth around Rs 2,000 crore, covers four Pinaka batteries along with anti-tank rockets, ammunition and other military gear.

What the Pinaka System offers

The Pinaka system, developed with support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (Drdo) and multiple industry partners, is renowned for its accuracy and extended range, with some variants capable of striking targets up to 75 km away and newer tests reaching even 120 km.

India began exporting unguided versions of Pinaka last year, but this latest batch introduces the guided variant designed for enhanced precision.

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Rajnath Singh used the occasion to highlight how far India’s defence industry has come.

“India is no longer just an importer but is rapidly moving towards becoming an exporter,” he said, underlining both the achievement and the broader growth in defence exports. The minister also pointed to the increasing role of the private sector in manufacturing and exporting defence equipment, a trend that has helped drive India’s export figures from under Rs 1,000 crore a decade ago to a record Rs 24,000 crore today.

Also read | Why Armenia has emerged as India's leading defence export destination

Export and production growth

Rajnath Singh also discussed domestic production, noting it has expanded sharply, rising from Rs 46,425 crore in 2014 to a record Rs 1.51 lakh crore now as Indian industry scales up to meet both home and overseas demand.

Armenia is the first confirmed international buyer of the Pinaka guided systems, though several other countries in Southeast Asia and Europe—including France—have shown strong interest in acquiring the weapon.