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In what could be a major success for the 'Make in India' scheme in the defence sector, a top French Army officer said that they were evaluating the Indian Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems for their requirements.
"We are evaluating the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system because we need a system like that. We are evaluating the system among the other systems offered by the highest countries offering such systems. India is among the highest countries producing weapons," French Army's Brigadier General Stephane Richou told ANI. The senior two-star French officer is in India for talks between the two sides. Brigadier General Richou said the two countries share much more than just a business relationship and want to cooperate even more. "This is much more than business partnership and this is cooperation and this is a common future together," he said. The Pinaka MBRL is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and produced by agencies including Solar Industries, Larsen and Toubro, Tata and Ordnance Factory Board companies. The rocket system which can hit targets at 75 kilometres and beyond with its multiple variants has already been an export success as it has been ordered by Armenia and many other countries are showing interest in it. The rocket system was discussed with the French side during a high-level visit by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan earlier this year. India has been pushing the indigenous systems for export markets and the Narendra Modi government has been able to achieve success in expanding exports by three times since it came to power in 2014. The French officer said the two countries are sharing high-end technology as they are together making high-end submarines like the Scorpene. The French Brigadier General said the two sides have been holding the Shakti series of exercises and have also participated in each other's national day events as a symbol of close partnership between the two countries. He said that for the 25th edition of the war games, the French Army would be inviting a strong detachment of the Indian Army to their country. France is the second largest importer of Indian defence equipment after the US with a lot of electronics items going there from India. (ANI)
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