Big Blow to DRDO as France Refuses to Buy India's... Will Also Make US' 'HIMARS'..., this Move to...

[ABS News Service/14.04.2025]

France had shown keen interest in the Indian 'Pinaka' Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher System (MBLRS) some time back. But according to the latest reports, France has refused to buy Indian weapons and also that now it will test the European analogue of the US-origin High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in 2026.

France is also planning to test the domestically developed rocket artillery system in 2026. The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) is currently working on such technology, which will provide the ability to test the new system within a year.

Actually, France is looking for a new rocket system to replace its old MLRS system Lance-Roquettes Unitaire (LRU). For which it had earlier shown interest in the Indian Pinaka. This could have been a great opportunity for the Indian defense industry to expand its base. But now it is working towards developing a new and more powerful, indigenous Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). By creating a domestic system, France wants to reduce its dependence on systems like American HIMARS. The new system that France is developing will have a range of 150 kilometers. Two unions Thales and ArianeGroup, and Safran and MBDA are currently building different prototypes of it. France's emphasis on making indigenous weapons The Ukraine war realized the world that every country should be self-sufficient in terms of weapons. France currently uses M270 but it will be retired in 2027. France had earlier decided to buy rocket launchers from another country to replace it, but most of the country's MPs and officials insisted on indigenous production. The capability of the new MLRS that France is making is not known at the moment, but it is believed that this system will compete with the American HIMARS.

What is HIMARS?

HIMARS has a speed of around 85 kmph and can be easily deployed in battle areas. It has an impressive firing range of up to 45 km for ER-MLRS rocket, up to 70 km for advanced GMLRS rocket and up to 300 km for tactical missiles. Thus, it provides a wide range for hitting distant targets and for use during military operations in various terrains.