Asbarez.com
India Begins Exporting Weapons System to Armenia, News Media Report
Yerevan Says Only Official Announcements Should be Reported
India reportedly has begun supplying Armenia with its Pinaka rocket system, the Indian Asian News International reported. Official Yerevan has not confirmed the import of the arms, with Armenia’s Defense Ministry calling on media outlets to refrain from reporting news that is not based on official announcements.
According to ANI, the supplies of the DRDO-developed rocket launchers started around the same time India began deliveries of the Akash air defence missile system to the country.
The first lot of the Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher systems has been supplied to Armenia, Indian defense sources told ANI.
Armenia’s Defense ministry issued a statement Sunday calling on media outlets to“fact check” reports about the country’s purchases of what it deems “defensive weapons” prior to publishing such news.
The ministry, without citing examples, claimed that foreign media outlets “continue to publish several false articles” about such acquisitions, as well as the details of purchase negotiations.
“Such publications are also rapidly spreading in the media outlets operating in the Republic of Armenia,” the ministry stated, adding that such unverified reports undermine information security.
The Pinaka rocket launchers are highly capable weapon systems with variants which can strike targets over 80kms.
The DRDO recently carried out important tests of the guided Pinaka rockets, which are produced by Nagpur-based Solar Industry’s Economic Explosives Limited along with government-owned Munitions India Limited.
France has also shown interest in the acquisition of this weapon system.
Named after the Hindu god Shiva’s divine bow, the French interest in the rocket system was shown during a high-level visit by Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan earlier this year.