DRDO announces successful trials of Pinaka rocket system

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday (November 14, 2024) announced the successful completion of flight tests of guided Pinaka multi-barrel rocket (MBRL) system as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials.

Highlights:

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on November 14, 2024, the successful completion of flight tests for the guided Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system. The trials, conducted as part of the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation, pave the way for its induction into the Indian Army.

Key Features of the Guided Pinaka System

Extended Range and Precision:

• The Pinaka system now has a range of over 75 km, with plans to extend it to 120 km and eventually 300 km.
• The system demonstrated exceptional performance in range, accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire during trials.

Testing and Validation:

• Flight tests were conducted in three phases at various field firing ranges.
• A total of 12 rockets from each production agency were fired using two upgraded Pinaka launchers.

Current and Future Deployment

Indian Army’s Inventory:

• The Army operates four Pinaka regiments, with six more on order.
• The indigenous Pinaka is expected to become the backbone of the Army’s long-range rocket artillery, replacing the existing Grad and Smerch systems.

Export and Global Interest:

• Armenia is the first export customer for the Pinaka system.
• France is evaluating the system for its requirements, and several other countries have expressed interest.

Indigenous Development and Production

Design and Development:

• The guided Pinaka system is fully indigenous, developed by DRDO in collaboration with:
  • Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)
  • Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
  • Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)
  • High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL)
  • Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE)

Production Agencies:

• Ammunition: Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited
• Launchers and Command Posts: Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro

Future Prospects:

• Futuristic Ammunition: Plans are underway to enhance Pinaka’s capability with advanced munitions.
• Global Recognition: With increasing export opportunities, the Pinaka system underscores India's growing defense manufacturing capabilities.

Prelims Takeaways

• Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR)
• multi-barrel rocket (MBRL) system