SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to its artillery capabilities, the Indian Army is set to receive the first batches of the Guided Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system later in 2025. This development follows the successful completion of flight tests conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in November 2024, which were aimed at validating the system against the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR).
On November 14, 2024, DRDO announced that the flight tests of the Guided Pinaka were completed in three distinct phases across various field firing ranges, marking a crucial milestone in the system’s development. These trials not only confirmed the rocket’s enhanced range, extending it to over 75 kilometers, but also validated its accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for engaging multiple targets in salvo mode.
“The successful completion of these trials is a testament to our commitment to advancing India’s military capabilities,” stated a senior DRDO official. “The Guided Pinaka will significantly enhance the Indian Army’s long-range precision strike capabilities, providing a strategic advantage in various operational scenarios.”
The Pinaka system, originally designed as an unguided rocket launcher with a range of about 40 kilometers, has undergone numerous upgrades since its inception. The introduction of a guided variant represents a major technological leap, incorporating state-of-the-art navigation, control, and guidance systems to achieve pinpoint accuracy, a necessity in modern warfare where collateral damage must be minimized.
The guided rockets are expected to replace some of the older, unguided variants currently in use, offering a more efficient and effective means of neutralizing enemy targets from a greater distance. This upgrade is particularly crucial along India’s borders with Pakistan and China, where the ability to engage targets at extended ranges with precision can alter the dynamics of any potential conflict.
Manufactured by multiple Indian defense firms under the supervision of DRDO, the Pinaka has been a symbol of India’s growing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities. The system’s development has involved key partnerships with companies like Tata Power SED, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), showcasing the synergy between public and private sectors in defense technology.
The induction of the Guided Pinaka into the Indian Army’s arsenal is part of a broader strategy to modernize and indigenize its equipment, reducing dependence on imports and aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This move not only strengthens national security but also positions India as a potential exporter of advanced defense technology.
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