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SOURCE: AFI

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing its work on an extended-range variant of the Guided Pinaka rocket system, which will have a range exceeding 120 km. Fabrication of this new version is scheduled to begin by mid-2025, with the first test planned for as early as October 2025. This development comes in response to the Indian Army’s request for an expedited program, as the military seeks to enhance its precision-guided rocket artillery capabilities.

The Guided Pinaka system, currently in testing, has a range of 75-90 km and has proven to be an effective and reliable solution for long-range artillery support. It was developed by DRDO to provide the Indian Army with a more accurate and extended-range variant of the unguided Pinaka rockets that had a range of 40 km. Equipped with a guidance system comprising an inertial navigation system (INS) and a GPS, the Guided Pinaka offers greater accuracy and precision, allowing the Army to strike targets with minimal collateral damage.

The upcoming version, with its range of over 120 km, is a natural evolution of the existing system, offering the Army enhanced reach on the battlefield. This extended range will give the Indian Army the ability to engage targets deeper into enemy territory, providing a strategic advantage in terms of standoff capabilities.

The Indian Army has requested that DRDO accelerate the development timeline of the extended-range Guided Pinaka. The demand for speedier development comes as the Army seeks to bolster its firepower along India’s borders, particularly in high-tension areas. Recognizing this urgency, DRDO has been working on the extended-range Pinaka for some time and is well-positioned to meet the Army’s requirements.

The decision to commence the fabrication process by mid-2025 indicates that DRDO is on track to deliver the system within a tight timeframe. If testing in October 2025 proceeds as planned, the new system could be ready for operational deployment shortly thereafter, providing a significant boost to India’s artillery arsenal.

While the extended-range Guided Pinaka with a range of over 120 km is nearing its testing phase, DRDO is also working on a more ambitious version of the system that will have a range of 300-400 km. This new system, still in the early stages of development, will represent a major leap in India’s rocket artillery capabilities. However, due to the complexity and the requirement for new technological advancements, this longer-range variant is unlikely to be ready by 2025.

The 300-400 km range Pinaka will be a completely new development, necessitating significant modifications to the existing rocket design, propulsion systems, and guidance mechanisms. When operational, this system will provide India with an unprecedented long-range strike capability, potentially rivaling the capabilities of tactical ballistic missile systems.

The extended-range Guided Pinaka with a range of over 120 km will offer India greater flexibility in conducting deep-strike missions without deploying larger and more expensive systems like cruise or ballistic missiles. With enhanced accuracy and longer reach, it will serve as a critical tool in neutralizing enemy infrastructure, command centers, and logistical hubs, especially in regions where rapid, mobile artillery firepower is essential.