New Delhi: A significant milestone was achieved with the successful flight-tests of advanced guided Pinaka Weapon System on November 14, 2024. The tests assessed the system’s range, accuracy, and rate of fire and involved rockets fired from upgraded Pinaka launchers.
Now, with all validation trials completed in a process that lasted almost four years, the armed forces will soon get new long-range guided rockets that are needed to counter Chinese-origin systems deployed on India’s northern borders.
Equipped with a guidance kit that corrects their course during flight for enhanced accuracy, the indigenous Guided Pinaka rockets can hit targets at a range of over 75 km. The final tests were conducted and all technical requirements of the Army have been met.
The system has undergone significant upgrades. It first saw action during the 1999 Kargil War and is now on par with some of the world’s leading rocket systems, including the United States’ HIMARS.
Developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), the Pinaka features a free-flight artillery rocket with an impressive range and includes multi-tube launchers capable of firing 12 rockets in quick succession, providing a lethal combination of speed and power. A single salvo can cover a target area of 700 x 500 meters, neutralising multiple targets within seconds.
The guided Pinaka is designed to offer not only extended range but also greater accuracy and versatility. Its ability to fire in multiple modes—manual, remote, stand-alone, and autonomous—enhances its effectiveness in a variety of combat scenarios. Moreover, the system’s shoot-and-scoot capability, which allows the launcher to quickly relocate after firing to avoid counter-battery fire, adds a layer of tactical advantage that is crucial in modern warfare.
According to sources, the next step is to extend their range to 120 km in the first phase and to over 200 km in the second, work for which is already underway. The system has been designed by DRDO in partnership with four companies, including three private sector entities, that have already set up production facilities.
The Pinaka has already garnered international attention, with countries like France and Armenia lining up to purchase it. There is a growing global demand for long-range rockets, given the success of similar systems in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. As their supplies remain limited, India’s current production capability to produce hundreds of the rockets on an annual basis, provides excellent exports opportunity. The production of Pinaka can be increased to the thousands if orders are placed.
The original Pinaka rockets, which had a range of about 37 km, are already being produced in required quantities and the same production facilities can churn out the long-range version as well, sources said. The programme involves Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen and Toubro that make the launchers and Economic Explosives Limited and Munitions India Limited, which produce the ammunition.
The Indian Army is soon expected to place an order for the system as the defence ministry has given its ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ approval. The guided Pinaka is already marked for exports and an order has been placed by Armenia. Talks are also underway to export the system to more friendly foreign nations.
The Pinaka system is poised to become a key asset in the international defence landscape. The successful test of the Pinaka rocket system reinforces India’s growing capabilities in defence technology and its potential to become a leading exporter of high-tech weaponry.
With gradual refinement of the Pinaka’s range and accuracy, India will not only bolster its own national security but also strengthen its position in the global arms market. As the Pinaka evolves, the combination of cutting-edge technology, precision strikes, and a growing international demand underscores the importance of the Pinaka in shaping the future of modern warfare.
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