Export of first consignment of Guided Pinaka Rockets to Armenia  flagged off by Defence Minister

ArmInfo.The export of first consignment of Guided Pinaka Rockets to Armenia was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from manufacturer Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited's (SDAL's) Nagpur facility on Sunday, the Hindu Business Line reports. 

Armenia had earlier signed a deal worth ?2,000 crore for four Pinaka  batteries, which included export of guided rockets for the  multi-barrell systems, and other defense equipment. The deliveries of  the gun launcher systems had begun in July 2023 and was concluded by  November 2024. Sources said that as and when guided rockets would be  ready, SDAL will ship them to Armenia. Defence Secretary RK Singh and  other top brass of SDAL were present at the flag off ceremony.

Guided Pinaka rockets' induction into the Indian Army is planned in  the coming days. 

Previously, Indian media reported that Armenia is among the top three  largest buyers of Indian defense products, along with the United  States and France.

Over the past five years, Armenia has concluded several deals with  India for the purchase of missiles, artillery pieces, missile  systems, radars, body armor, and night vision devices, as well as a  wide range of ammunition and artillery shells. Moreover, Armenia  became the first foreign buyer of the Indian-developed Akash air  defense system.

In late September 2022, Armenia signed a contract worth over $250  million to purchase weapons from India, including Indian-made Pinaka  214mm multiple launch rocket systems and rockets for them,  unspecified anti-tank missile systems, and various munitions. In the  fall of 2023, Indian Defence Research Wing reported that in early  August, the Indian defence company Bharat Forge LTD delivered six  ATAGS towed 155mm howitzers to Armenia under a $155.5 million  contract. The deal provides for the delivery of 90 artillery pieces  of this type to Armenia over three years.