Indian Artillery Gets More Firepower as DRDO Completes Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka System

New Delhi: In a major boost to indigenous artillery capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday announced that it has successfully completed the Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials. 

According to the Defence Ministry, the flight tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.

During these tests, the PSQR parameters viz., ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets. 

DRDO Conducts Flight Test of Guided Pinaka Weapon System | WATCH 

Twelve (12) rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested, an official statement said. 

The precision strike variant for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a totally indigenous weapon system designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Proof & Experimental Establishment with Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited as production agencies for ammunition and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro for Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Congratulates DRDO 

On the completion of trials, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful PSQR Validation Trials of the system and stated that the induction of this Guided Pinaka Weapon System will further boost the artillery firepower of the Armed Forces.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the trials and said the rocket system has completed all pre-requisite flight trials before induction into the Indian Army, ministry said in a statement.

France Interested In Pinaka Rocket System  

Earlier last week, a senior French Army officer said that they are assessing India's indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system for possible integration into their military.

The announcement comes as both nations continue to deepen their strategic and defence ties.

Pinaka Rocket System: Features and Its Role In 1999 Kargil War

The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune supported by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, another Pune-based laboratory of DRDO. 

The rocket system consists of a multi-tube launcher vehicle, a replenishment-cum-loader vehicle, a replenishment vehicle, and a command post vehicle.

The rocket launcher has two pods containing six rockets each and can neutralise an area of 700 × 500 square metres within 48 seconds. 

The launcher system is supported on four hydraulically actuated outriggers at the time of firing. 

Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) was successfully used during the Kargil war in 1999, neutralising enemy soldiers and positions on Mountain tops.