SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken a significant step forward in enhancing India’s artillery capabilities with the public unveiling of the first model of the Pinaka III Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) rocket, boasting an impressive range of 120 kilometers at the Defence exhibition at Gachibowli stadium, Hyderabad. Positioned alongside the older variants during the display, the Pinaka III’s visibly larger profile hints at a 300mm diameter, a substantial increase from the 214mm caliber of earlier models, signaling a new era of long-range precision for the Indian Army.
The Pinaka III’s debut alongside the Pinaka and Guided Pinaka rockets offers a striking visual contrast. While the Pinaka Mk-I (40 km range), Mk-II (60-90 km), and Guided Pinaka (75-90 km) rely on a 214mm diameter, the Pinaka III’s broader girth—estimated at 300mm based on its appearance—underscores its enhanced capabilities.
This size increase isn’t just cosmetic. A 300mm caliber, akin to Russia’s Smerch MBRL (a 90 km-range system in Indian service since 2007), allows for a bigger propellant load and advanced guidance systems, key to achieving the DRDO’s stated 120 km range. Unlike the 214mm rockets, which cap at 90 km even with guidance, the Pinaka III’s 300mm diameter accommodates more fuel and sophisticated electronics, enabling it to strike targets 120 km away with accuracy.
The Pinaka III’s development is no coincidence. With China deploying 300mm PHL-03 launchers near the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—capable of 70-130 km—and Pakistan fielding over 450 A-100 systems (120 km range), India’s artillery has lagged in reach. The Indian Army’s approval in 2021 for 120 km and 300 km Pinaka variants reflects this urgency, with the Pinaka III as the first fruit. Its 120 km range outstrips the Smerch’s 90 km and matches the A-100, while offering a cost-effective, indigenous alternative to imported systems.
DRDO’s roadmap doesn’t stop at 120 km. A 200-300 km variant, also in development, could elevate Pinaka into the short-range ballistic missile realm, rivaling systems like China’s PHL-16. For now, the Pinaka III’s 120 km range, paired with its larger warhead (likely 250 kg versus the Mk-I’s 100 kg), offers a versatile strike option—ideal for both saturation and precision roles.
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