The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) announced that it recently completed a successful flight of its Guided Pinaka MBRL system.
These were opened to facilitate induction into the Indian Army and were a component of the Validation Trials for the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR).
DRDO has successfully completed the Flight Tests of Guided #Pinaka Weapon System. Various parameters such as ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode were assessed during the trials. The tests were conducted in three phases at… pic.twitter.com/qVtq4MqCse
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) November 14, 2024
To test the system’s range, accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire in salvo mode multiple target engagement, three phases of firings were conducted across field firing ranges. Each production agency tested 13 rockets in total using upgraded Pinaka launchers that satisfied all PSQR requirements.
Validation Trials of #GuidedPinaka Weapon System as part of PSQR has been successfully completed and parameters viz., ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets. pic.twitter.com/Rb2Zy1PgRZ
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) November 14, 2024
Guided Pinaka: Made In India
The Guided Pinaka Weapon System is a fully indigenous development by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), partnered with other DRDO laboratories, including Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory. Private firms such as Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro participated in the development of the launcher and the Battery Command Post, while Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited prepared the ammunition.
The system has over-75 km range and precision strike capability through the advanced guidance systems. This range might be extended over 120 km, 150 km, or up to 200 km in future versions as several threats are likely to arise from China.
Named after Lord Shiva’s divine bow, the Pinaka system was first deployed during the 1999 Kargil War and since then has been an integral part of India’s arsenal in its artillery. Versatile in application with shoot-and-scoot capabilities, it has proved to be a reliable system for the Indian Army, well-suited for deployment along the Line of Control against Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control against China.
Global Demand and Strategic Importance
International interest has been shown in the Pinaka Mk-II variant, with France and Armenia expressing interest in purchasing the system. It would be a step forward for both nations to strengthen their growing defense ties with India if France were to conduct a test trial soon.
Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh said that this would greatly increase the military’s firepower while congratulating the Indian Army and the DRDO on their historic victory. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, the chairman of the DRDO, also expressed gratitude to all of the participating teams.
