New Delhi: In a boost to missile technology and strengthening of nation’s security, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) December 11 announced that it successfully tested the extended range Pinaka (Pinaka-ER) Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System at Rajasthan’s Pokhran Range.
The system has been designed by DRDO Laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) along with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, the technology has been transferred to the Indian industry.
According to the DRDO, the Pinaka – ER is the upgraded version of the earlier version of Pinaka which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been designed in the light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies enhancing the range.
Additionally, indigenously developed “proximity fuzes” for Pinaka rockets have also been tested, the defence ministry informed. The defence ministry’s statement said that the DRDO, along with the Army, conducted series of performance evaluation trials of these industry produced rockets at field firing ranges during the last three days. In these trials, enhanced range Pinaka rockets were test-fired at different ranges with various warhead capabilities. All the trial objectives were met satisfactorily.
The technology of the system was transferred to the industry by DRDO after establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range Pinaka. Continuing the absorption of transferred technology, rockets developed by the industry have undergone the performance evaluation and quality certification process with guidance and support being provided by the DRDO design team and QA agencies nominated for the system.
The Pinaka rocket system that was deployed at the China border recently, is an all-weather, artillery multi-barrel rocket system that can fire 72 rockets in 44 seconds. It provides a deep strike option to the forces on the ground as it delivers lethal and responsive fire against a variety of area targets and is capable of hitting critical military installations.
