DRDO successfully tests extended-range Pinaka guided rocket
12 Mar 2019
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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully test fired two guided Pinaka rockets from the Pokhran ranges. The weapon system is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance kit comprising of an advanced navigation and control system.
In both the missions, the weapon systems impacted the intended targets with high precision and achieved desired accuracies. Telemetry systems tracked and monitored the vehicle all through the flight path. All the mission objectives have been met, DRDO said.
The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a laboratory under the DRDO, will deliver guided Pinaka rocket with an enhanced range of up to 75 km to the Army by 2020.
The current range of Pinaka is 40 km.
An upgraded version of Pinaka rocket, with new guidance system will be delivered to the Army next year.
The indigenously developed guided Pinaka rockets with an extended range will significantly boost the capability of the artillery to make precision hits.
The multi-barrel rocket system Pinaka is an area weapon system to supplement the existing artillery gun at ranges beyond 30 kilometres, having quick reaction time and high rate of fire, the DRDO says.
Pinaka is an advanced multi-barrel rocket launcher currently being used by the Indian Army.
This system can fire as many as 12 rockets in just 44 seconds and neutralize targets sitting as far as 75km in a snap.
Now, a major part of Indian Army's arsenal, Pinaka was first employed during the Kargil war and used to destroy enemy posts on mountain tops.
