NEW DELHI — The first batch of rockets for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launch system has been delivered to Armenia, according to The Times of India. A ceremonial dispatch marking the shipment took place on Sunday in Nagpur, India. India’s Minister of Defense, Rajnath Singh, attended the event commemorating the delivery of the weapons to Armenia.
Addressing those present, the minister described the delivery as a “turning point for India’s defense industry,” noting that it reflects the country’s efforts to enter the global arms market.
The guided rockets, manufactured by Solar Defense and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) in Nagpur, have a range of up to 70 kilometers. Indian media reports indicate that deliveries of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket systems to Armenia were carried out during 2023–2024.
The outlet notes that Armenia had previously signed a contract worth approximately $240 million for the acquisition of four Pinaka batteries. The agreement includes the supply of guided rockets for the multiple-launch rocket systems as well as other military equipment. Deliveries of the artillery systems began in July 2023 and were completed in November 2024, with the phased export of guided rockets now underway.
According to official sources, the rockets will be shipped to Armenia “based on readiness levels.”
It is also expected that the guided Pinaka rockets will be inducted into the Indian Army’s arsenal in the coming days. As part of this effort, Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new medium-caliber ammunition manufacturing facility operated by SDAL in Nagpur, which he said aligns with the government’s strategy to reduce India’s reliance on imported ammunition.
