India has formally offered its domestically developed Pinaka multi-launch artillery rocket systems to France, aiming to enhance bilateral defense cooperation. This offer coincides with ongoing discussions between the two nations regarding the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and collaboration on additional Scorpene submarines.

During high-level talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited the French Army to closely examine the Pinaka system, highlighting that its acquisition would represent a significant milestone in strengthening defense relations between India and France. The Pinaka system, developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has already been exported to Armenia, with interest from several ASEAN and African countries. The system is capable of launching multiple rockets in quick succession, providing a substantial force multiplier on the battlefield.

The DRDO has developed various ammunition types for the Pinaka, including rockets with extended ranges of 45 km and 75 km. Plans are underway to further enhance these capabilities to 120 km and eventually 300 km, thereby increasing the system's versatility and effectiveness.

In addition to the Pinaka offer, discussions between India and France have encompassed joint projects in missile development, helicopter engines, and jet engines. Notably, there is ongoing collaboration between the French company Safran and DRDO to co-develop a 110-kilonewton jet engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, which aims to produce a fifth-generation stealth fighter.

The joint statement issued by both nations also acknowledged the successful collaboration in constructing Scorpene submarines in India, including efforts toward indigenization and the integration of DRDO-developed air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems into these submarines. Discussions are also underway regarding the integration of advanced combat systems into three new submarines to be constructed at Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks.