SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to India’s artillery capabilities, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has revealed ambitious plans for the next-generation Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) systems. The Pinaka Mk-III, with an enhanced range of 120 km, is set to be inducted into the Indian Army within the next three years, while the Pinaka Mk-IV, boasting an impressive 300 km range, is slated for induction within five years. These advancements underscore India’s commitment to strengthening its indigenous defense capabilities and achieving self-reliance under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
The Pinaka MBRL system, developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with Indian industry partners, has been a cornerstone of the Indian Army’s artillery modernization. The system, named after Lord Shiva’s mythical bow, is designed to deliver devastating salvos against enemy targets, including troop concentrations, armored formations, and infrastructure. The existing Pinaka Mk-I (38–40 km range) and Mk-II (60–75 km range) have already proven their effectiveness, with the latter deployed along India’s borders to counter regional threats.
Dr. Kamat’s announcement highlights the DRDO’s focus on transforming the Pinaka into a versatile, long-range weapon system capable of precision strikes deep within enemy territory. The Pinaka Mk-III and Mk-IV aim to bridge the gap between conventional artillery and tactical ballistic missiles, offering cost-effective, high-impact solutions for modern warfare.
The Pinaka Mk-III, an advanced variant of the Mk-II, extends the system’s range to 120 km, nearly doubling the reach of its predecessor. This upgrade is achieved through improvements in rocket design, including enhanced propellants, a lighter airframe, and advanced guidance systems. The Mk-III is expected to incorporate precision-guided munitions with GPS/INS navigation, enabling it to strike targets with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, a significant improvement over the unguided rockets of earlier variants.
The system will retain the Pinaka’s hallmark rapid-fire capability, launching 12 rockets in under 44 seconds from a single launcher, with each regiment comprising 18 launchers capable of saturating an area of 1,000 x 800 meters. The Mk-III will also feature an upgraded launcher with improved automation and compatibility with a range of warheads, including high-explosive, incendiary, and anti-tank submunitions.
It has been reported that the Pinaka Mk-III is in the final stages of development, with user trials expected to commence by late-2025. The Indian Army has already placed orders for additional Pinaka regiments, and production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is set to ramp up to meet the 2028 induction timeline. The extended range and precision make the Mk-III ideal for targeting enemy command posts, logistics hubs, and air defense systems, enhancing the Army’s operational flexibility along contested borders.
The Pinaka Mk-IV represents a quantum leap in India’s rocket artillery capabilities, with a staggering 300 km range that positions it as a quasi-ballistic missile system. This variant is designed to rival systems like the Russian BM-30 Smerch and China’s PHL-03, offering deep-strike capabilities against high-value targets such as airfields, radar installations, and missile launch sites. The Mk-IV’s extended range is achieved through a combination of advanced solid-fuel propulsion, aerodynamic refinements, and a larger rocket diameter, potentially increasing from the current 214 mm to 300 mm or more.
The Mk-IV will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including a dual-mode guidance system combining GPS/INS with an indigenous active radar seeker for terminal-phase accuracy. This enables the rocket to engage moving targets, such as mobile missile launchers, with a CEP of under 5 meters. The system is also expected to feature a throttleable propulsion system, allowing trajectory correction and enhanced maneuverability to evade enemy air defenses.
Dr. Kamat emphasized that the Pinaka Mk-IV is being developed as a modular platform, capable of launching a variety of payloads, including cluster munitions, anti-radiation warheads, and potentially loitering munitions. The system’s integration with India’s Integrated Artillery Command and Control System (IACCS) will enable real-time targeting and coordination with other artillery systems, such as the K9 Vajra and Dhanush howitzers.
Development of the Mk-IV is progressing, with prototype testing scheduled for 2027–2028. The Indian Army’s Artillery Modernization Plan, aiming for 22 Pinaka regiments by 2030, includes provisions for Mk-IV units, with production expected to begin by 2029 for induction by 2030.
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