Pinaka rocket now an extended range guided missile

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has validated the enhancement of indigenous artillery bombardment capability to 75 km with the successful test firings of the extended range, guided Pinaka Mark-II rocket, which is now being termed a missile system.

"The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the Navigation (a) Control and Guidance System to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)," the Ministry of Defence declared in a statement.

"The Pinaka MK-II Rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the Navigation (a) Control and Guidance System to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)," the Ministry of Defence declared in a statement

The extended range modified missile will be subjected to user trials as per programme deadlines.

The version currently in use by the Indian Army is an unguided 40-km range multi-barrel rocket system. The Army is presently equipped with 2 Pinaka regiments and an additional 2 are reportedly on order. The Ministry of Defence has also approved a tender for 6 more regiments. Earlier reports have suggested plans for 22 Pinaka regiments by 2030, also to replace the older Soviet-origin Grad. The new improvements make the Pinaka a far more potent and accurate weapon.

Two flight trials were conducted by the DRDO from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-Sea. The first on December 19 validated a range of 75 km. The second trial on December 20 was a salvo launch with two Pinaka missiles being fired with a 60-second gap. Both missiles were fired with live warheads on a target at a distance of 20-km.

The version currently in use by the Indian Army is an unguided 40-km range multi-barrel rocket system. The Army is presently equipped with 2 Pinaka regiments and an additional 2 are reportedly on order. The Ministry of Defence has also approved a tender for 6 more regiments. Earlier reports have suggested plans for 22 Pinaka regiments by 2030, also to replace the older Soviet-origin Grad. The new improvements make the Pinaka a far more potent and accurate weapon

"The mission objective of today’s trial was to test low range, functioning of live warhead along with its proximity initiation and salvo launch," the statement elaborated. The live warheads were fitted with a proximity fuse. The DRDO claimed high accuracy in hitting the target.

The missile system has been jointly developed by DRDO Laboratories Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).