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The Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has made significant strides in enhancing the country’s defence arsenal. Recently, DRDO successfully test-launched the Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). This move comes shortly after the successful launch of the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System (SMART). Both of these achievements are seen as prominent steps forward in the continued modernisation and strengthening of India’s Defence capabilities.
About Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER)
Pinaka, named after Lord Shiva’s bow, is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system that can fire a salvo of twelve rockets within 44 seconds. The upgraded version, Pinaka-ER, encompasses advanced technology to boost the system’s strength. A noteworthy feature of this latest system is that it’s lighter in metal weight compared to its previous models. Moreover, the tested system can achieve a firing range of up to 45km, a significant enhancement over the existing Pinaka system, which has a maximum range of 35-37km.
The Significance of Pinaka-ER
Pinaka-ER represents one of the few instances where an evolutionary process is being followed with an indigenous Indian weapon system. The progressive upgrades in Pinaka ensure the system’s adaptability to evolving war scenarios while boosting the combat readiness of the Indian army.
Background & Variants of Pinaka
DRDO initiated the development of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket systems in the late 1980s as an alternative to the Russian Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher systems called ‘Grad’. DRDO’s efforts culminated in the successful tests of Pinaka Mark-1 in the late 1990s. Subsequently, the system made its battlefield debut during the 1999 Kargil War, which marked the beginning of a series of additions to various army regiments throughout the 2000s.
Over time, DRDO has introduced several variants of the Pinaka system. These include the Mk-II and the guided variants of Pinaka. The Mk-II expands the rocket’s range to approximately 60 km. In contrast, the Guided Pinaka integrates navigation, control, and guidance systems to increase accuracy and extend the range further to 75 km. Advancements in technology have enabled the integration of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) into the navigation system of the Guided Pinaka missile.
Recent Developments
In 2020, an enhanced version of the Pinaka Mark (Mk)-1 missile was successfully launched from the Integrated Test Range located in Chandipur, off Odisha’s coast. This successful launch marked another significant step in India’s journey of promoting indigenous defence production and maintaining a state-of-the-art inventory for its armed forces.
