Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, India has made another significant advancement in its defense manufacturing by successfully undertaking flight tests of its advanced guided Pinaka rocket system. The testing was conducted by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as part of the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials.. We designed the tests to assess the capabilities of multi-target engagement, accuracy, and range. We evaluated twelve missiles from in-service launchers at various field firing ranges in three phases.
Lord Shiva’s divine bow inspired the name of the Pinaka system, initially developed to replace the Russian BM-21 Grad launchers. First deployed during the 1999 Kashmir War, it played a critical role in neutralizing hostile positions. The Pinaka Mk-II variant is capable of supporting a variety of warheads and sophisticated operational modes, in addition to having an upgraded 60-km range.
Armenia became the first international consumer of the Pinaka system in 2023, reportedly procuring it through Iran to fortify its defenses. Interest in the system has increased globally. France has recently demonstrated a significant interest in procuring the Pinaka to improve its artillery capabilities, which is consistent with the two countries’ broader defense and strategic relationships.
This interest emphasizes India’s increasing status as a defense exporter and fortifies partnerships, as evidenced by France’s previous acquisitions, including the Rafale fighter jets and the TAC 295 transport aircraft contract. The Pinaka’s shoot-and-scoot maneuverability and salvo-firing capability, which encompasses a broad target area, render it comparable to sophisticated systems such as the U.S. HIMARS.
The DRDO consistently improves the Pinaka system, positioning it as a strategic asset for both domestic and international defense requirements. New variants are now capable of a range of up to 200 km.
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