The Enhanced Pinaka Mk-I Rocket System (EPRS), an upgraded version of a pre-existing Indian rocket system, recently underwent successful testing in the Pokhran range in Rajasthan. Concurrently, the Area Denial Munition (ADM) – a type of ammunition designed to hinder an adversary’s occupation or transit through a predetermined area – was tested and validated. Additionally, the test-run validated the performance of different munition variants and fuzes that could potentially be used with the Pinaka rocket system.
Description of EPRS
The EPRS is essentially an improved version of the original Pinaka rocket system, which has been in active service with the Indian Army for the past decade. The design and development processes were carried out by two Pune-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories: the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
These enhancements incorporate advanced technologies, thus extending its range to meet the evolving requirements of modern battlefields. While the Mark-1 variant had an operational range of 38 km, the enhanced Mark-1 that was recently tested has an extended range of 45 km and includes a few key additional features.
About the Pinaka Rocket System
Named after Lord Shiva’s bow, the Pinaka rocket system is a multi-barrel rocket setup developed by ARDE and HEMRL. The development process was initiated by the DRDO during the late 1980s as an alternative to the Russian Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher systems referred to as the ‘Grad’.
Following successful tests of Pinaka Mark-1 in the 1990s, the system was first deployed during the Kargil War of 1999. Since then, multiple regiments of the system have been established in the 2000s.
Features and Capabilities
The Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets within 44 seconds. A single battery of the Pinaka array comprises six launch vehicles, supplemented by loader systems, radar, network-based systems links, and a command post. This setup can neutralise an area of 1 km by 1 km. Moreover, after launching, these systems must rapidly relocate to avoid detection due to the back blast, particularly in long-range artillery battles.
Variants of the Pinaka
The DRDO has also developed the Mk-II and guided versions of the Pinaka, which have an operational range of around 60 km. The Guided Pinaka system extends this range up to 75 km and includes an integrated navigation, control, and guidance system to improve accuracy and extend the range. The navigation setup of the Guided Pinaka missile is further enhanced by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
Here is an example of a Previous Year Question (PYQ): “What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news?” (2018). The answer is: Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) is an American anti-missile setup designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles during their “terminal” phase of flight when they are falling towards the target.
