Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher

Pinaka () is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of for Mark-I Enhanced and for Mark-II ER version, and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets per launcher in 44 seconds. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralising Pakistani positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.

In April 2013, was sanctioned for increasing the production capacity of Pinaka rockets from then 1,000 to 5,000 per year. Unutilised land of the Yantra India Limited was also being considered for further capacity expansion when production of advanced variants would commence. The expansion was completed by 2014.

Development

The Indian Army operates the Russian BM-21 Grad Launchers. In 1981, in response to the Indian Army's need for a long range artillery system, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) sanctioned two confidence building projects. In July 1983, the Army formulated their General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for the system. In December 1986, the MoD sanctioned . Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) was appointed the System Coordinator for the project. The project included seven other laboratories DRDO like Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).

DRDO was to fabricate seven launcher vehicles, of which six were to be supplied to the Army for user trials, three replenishment-cum-loader vehicles including two for the Army’s user trials, one command post vehicle. Induction was planned at the rate of one Regiment per year from 1994 onwards. This system would eventually replace the Grads.

Mark 1

Development began in December 1986, with a sanctioned budget of . The development was to be completed in December 1992. As per a report the prototype was rolled out by 1992. The user trials of the system by the Army began by February 1999 after the developmental trials. The user trials ended in December 1999. The first order for full-rate production was placed with Ordnance Factory in 2007.

The Pinaka is in the process of further improvement. Israel Military Industries teamed up with DRDO to implement its Trajectory Correction System (TCS) on the Pinaka, for further improvement of its CEP. This has been trialed and has shown excellent results. The rockets can also be guided by GPS to improve their accuracy. A wraparound microstrip antenna has been developed by DRDO for this system.To decrease single source dependency from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and increase competition in product pricing front, final developmental trials of Pinaka manufactured fully by Indian private sector Solar Industries under Transfer of Technology agreement from DRDO were successfully conducted by Indian Army at Pokhran Range on 19 August 2020. As of December 2021, the trials of rockets developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. (subsidiary of Solar Industries Group) and Yantra India Limited- Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) are underway for two variants, Mk-I Enhanced and Mk-I ADM. The order for these variants are to be placed with one or two of the competitors in order to replace the shorter ranged Mk-I variant rockets.

The Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1's warhead comprises a DPICM sub-munitions offering anti-access/area denial capabilities to the force against mechanised forces, vehicles and personnel.

Mark 2

Pinaka Mk II is being developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune; Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad; and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. Another variant of Mark II called Guided Pinaka is equipped with a navigation, guidance, control kit and has considerably enhanced the range and accuracy of the missile. The range of the missile is estimated to be between 60 km-75 km at all ranges.

Sagem completed delivery of its Sigma 30 laser-gyro artillery navigation and pointing system for 2 of the Pinaka MBRL systems in June 2010. The Sigma 30 artillery navigation and pointing system is designed for high-precision firing at short notice. The systems would be integrated by Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro. The system was ordered in February 2008.

Pinaka Mark 2 manufactured by Solar Industries completed User Assisted Technical Trial (UATT) on 8 December 2021 and will now go for user trial which will be completed by March 2022. While Yantra India Limited- Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) is developing prototype of Pinaka Mark 2 due to delay in transfer of technology by ARDE as of December 2021.

As of September 2022, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the procurement proposal of induction of Guided Pinaka variant. The Flight Trials of Guided Pinaka as part of Validation Trials were completed in November 2024.

Pinaka Mk 3

In 2005, ARDE revealed about the development of a long range MRL similar to the Smerch MRLS. A 7.2-metre rocket for the Pinaka MBRL, which can reach a distance of 120 km and carry a 250 kg payload will be developed. These new rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, have a maximum speed of Mach 4.7, rise to an altitude of 40 km before hitting its target at Mach 1.8. Integrating UAVs with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO intends to install guidance systems on these rockets to increase their accuracy.

On 17 January 2024, reports revealed that DRDO is developing two new variants of Pinaka rockets, one with a range of 120 km and the other with a range of over 200 km.

On 24 January 2024, few other reports revealed that the range of the rockets shall be 120 km and 300 km, respectively. The development of new variants have been approved by the Indian Army. While the 120 km rocket is to have the same calibre as of the earlier variants (214 mm), enabling it to be fired from earlier launchers, the Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements of the other variant is being chalked out.

As of February 2025, the developmental trials for 120 km-range rockets are expected to commence within few months. The development process began in 2024, and the first test is scheduled for October 2025.

Further development

Ramjet propulsion

A group of researchers led by Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar, a professor in the aerospace department at IIT Madras and the former Director General of Artillery for the Indian Army Combat and Combat Support Arms, are developing ramjet propulsion technology that will be incorporated into the Pinaka rockets. It is anticipated that the range of 210–214 mm rocket will increase at 225–250 km with the addition of ramjet propulsion, all the while preserving the operational flexibility of the system.

Air Force and Navy variants

In February 2025, it was reported that DRDO has commenced development of Pinaka variant for naval and air force applications. The DRDO has already received the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) from the Navy. The naval variant with a range of 75 km is to be flight tested in 2025 and will have underwater applications including submarine countermeasures. The Air Force also intends to operate surface-to-surface variants as a cost-effective alternative to Pralay missile as well as an air-to-surface variant for integration on the Mirage-2000, HAL Tejas and the Su-30MKI.

Testing

*The first tests of the rocket system (Pinaka Mk-I) was conducted in late 1990, around 1995.
*User trials of the Pinaka Mk-I was carried out from February to December in 1999. It also took part in the Kargil War.
* From 30 and 31 January 2013, at least three rounds of Pinaka Mk-II were successfully fired from the test range of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur for developmental trials. The tests were conducted by personnel of Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm IST.
* On 28 July 2013, successful firing trials of Pinaka Mk-II were conducted in the Chandan area of Pokhran by DRDO and Army personnel. The rockets destroyed the targets in Keru area, 30 km from the point of launch.
* On 7 August 2013, tests for two rounds of Pinaka Mk-II fired from the test range of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur failed to provide desired results.
* On 20 December 2013, six rounds of Pinaka Mk-II were successfully fired from the test range of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur for developmental trials. This test, conducted by ARDE personnel, was reportedly conducted post a ''failed'' attempt to test the same variant four months back in August.
* On 30 May 2014, Pinaka Mk-II were successfully fired from the test range of PXE at Chandipur by ARDE. The rockets were launched at a range of 61 km against its then maximum range of 65 km.
* From 20 to 23 May 2016, four rounds of the Pinaka Mk-II were successfully fired from the test range of Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur-on-sea for testing a new guidance system.
* On 12 January 2017 and 24 January 2017, two successful tests of the Pinaka Mk-II was conducted with range of 65 km and 75 km respectively from Launch Complex-III, Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
* On 30 May 2018, two rounds of tests of the Pinaka Mk-II were successfully conducted from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur. Another round of tests was conducted successfully on 11 March 2019.
* On 19 December 2019, Pinaka Mk-II version was tested at a range of 75 km.
* On 20 December 2019, two Pinaka Mk-II variant rockets were fired in salvo mode at an interval of 60 seconds at low range of 20 km at 11:00 am IST from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The proximity fuse initiation and accuracy at low ranges. The newer Pinaka Mk-II ER variant was reported to be flight tested at a range of up to 90 km.
*On 19 August 2020, Pinaka Mk I Enhanced variant rockets, manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd. of Solar Group, were tested successfully from Pokhran Range, Rajasthan. This was the first time in India that a munition of this kind was manufactured and tested by a private sector company. On 20 August 2020, trials for Pinaka Guided was carried out for the first time.
* On 4 November 2020, a series of 6 Pinaka Mk I Enhanced variant rockets, manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd. of Solar Group, were tested successfully from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The variant is expected to replace the older Mark I variant in production. This time DRDO has decreased the size of the rockets compared to the older generation Mark I.
* On 24 June 2021, DRDO successfully fired 25 Pinaka Mk I Enhanced variant at a range of 45 km in quick succession mode as part of saturation attack simulation. The rockets were manufactured by EEL. On 25 June 2021, DRDO successfully test fired 40 km range 122 mm calibre rocket which are made to replace the older BM-21 Grad rockets in the Indian Army.
* December 2021 trials: A total of 24 rockets of multiple variants were fired at Pokhran Range.
** On 8 December 2021, Pinaka Mk-I Enhanced was successfully tested at a range of 45 km. The variant was manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL). The User Assisted Technical Trial (UATT) of Pinaka Mk-II produced by EEL was also completed the same day. Further user trials for Pinaka Mk-II variants produced by both EEL and YIL is to undergo user trials by March 2022.
** On 10 December 2021, Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) variant, equipped with Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) was tested. The tests included the rockets manufactured by both Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) and Yantra India Limited (YIL). While both the manufacturers claimed success of the trials, it was confirmed that for the YIL's variant 96.6% of the DPICM exploded surpassing benchmark set at 90%. During these tests, ARDE evaluated locally developed Direct-Action Self Destruction (DASD) and Anti-Tank Munition (ATM) fuses.
* In April 2022, a total of 24 Enhanced Pinaka Rocket System (EPRS) along with Pinaka ADM were fired at Pokhran Range for different ranges. The rockets developed by Yantra India Limited- Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) were flight tested during the trials.
* In the last two weeks of August 2022, user trials of Pinaka Enhanced were conducted from both Pokhran Range and Integrated Test Range, Balasore. Rockets developed by both the manufacturers MIL and EEL successfully passed the trials.
* On 14 November 2024, DRDO completed the final Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon Systems as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) Validation Trials. The tests were conducted in three phases in field firing ranges. The three parameters of PSQR, which are ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire to engage multiple targets in salvo mode was assessed during the trials. A total of 12 rockets from each production agencies, Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL), were tested from two launchers that were upgraded by the launcher manufacturers, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

Details

Pinaka is a complete MBRL system, each Pinaka battery consists of: six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets; six loader-replenishment vehicles; six replenishment vehicles; two Command Post vehicle (one stand by) with a Fire Control computer, and the DIGICORA MET radar ( meteorological radar, provides data on winds). A battery of six launchers can neutralise an area of 1,000 m × 800 m.

The Army generally deploys a battery that has a total of 72 rockets. All of the 72 rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, taking out an area of 1 km². Each launcher can fire in a different direction too. The system has the flexibility to fire all the rockets in one go or only a few. This is made possible with a fire control computer. There is a command post linking together all the six launchers in a battery. Each launcher has an individual computer which enables it to function autonomously in case it gets separated from the other five vehicles in a war.

Modes of operation

The launcher can operate in the following modes:

Autonomous mode. The launcher is fully controlled by a fire control computer (FCC). The microprocessor on the launcher automatically executes the commands received from the FCC, giving the operator the status of the system on displays and indicators.

Stand-alone mode: In this mode, the launcher is not linked to the FCC operator, and the operator at the console enters all the commands for laying of the launcher system and selection of firing parameters.

Remote mode: In this mode, a remote control unit carried outside the cabin up to a distance of about 200 m can be used to control the launcher system, the launcher site and to unload the fired rocket pods from the launcher.

Manual mode: All launcher operations including laying of the system and firing are manually controlled. This mode is envisaged in the situations where the microprocessor fails or where there is no power to activate the microprocessor-based operator's console.

The Pinaka was tested in the Kargil conflict and proved its effectiveness. Since then it has been inducted into the Indian Army and series production has been ordered. The Pinaka MBRL is stated to be cheaper than other systems. It costs per system compared to the M270 which costs .

Salient featuresPinaka MRLS at Indian-Military.org

* Use of state-of-the-art technologies for improved combat performance
* Total operational time optimised for shoot & scoot capability
* Cabin pressurisation for crew protection in addition to blast shields
* Microprocessor-based fully automatic positioning and fire control console
* Night vision devices for driver and crew
* Neutralisation/destruction of the exposed troop concentrations, B-Class military land vehicles and other such soft targets
* Neutralisation of enemy guns/rocket locations
* Laying of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines at a short notice.

Orders

The Pinaka project has been a significant success for the DRDO and its development partners in developing and delivering a state of the art, high value project to the Indian Army's demanding specifications. While DRDO was responsible for the overall design and development, its partners played a significant role in developing important subsystems and components. They include Tata Power SED, Larsen & Toubro, Solar Industries, Munitions India Limited and Yantra India Limited. As of August 2024, of the total Pinaka systems in service with the Army, Tata has delivered 40 launchers and 8 Command Posts. Another 36 launchers were also on order with the same firm.

* On 29 March 2006, the Indian Army awarded Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro's Heavy Engineering Division a contract worth , to produce 40 Pinaka MBRLs each for 2 regiments. Tata Power SED declared that it would be delivering the first units within six months. The deliveries were completed by 2010.
* On 29 October 2015, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister of India, cleared purchase of two more Pinaka regiments at a cost of . On March 18, 2016, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the purchase of two additional Pinaka regiments. As a consequence, a deal worth was signed with Tata Power SED for delivery of one regiment (20 launchers and 8 command posts). The contract was signed with BEML (for vehicles), Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro (for launchers and command posts) and Ordnance Factory Board (rocket ammunition). The entire order was placed in 2016 and all units have been delivered as of 2024.
* In November 2016, the MoD has cleared a RFP for 6 additional regiments and was followed by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) clearance in 2018. This led to the signing of a contract on 31 August 2020 for six additional regiments worth of launcher systems at from Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Defence public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) which will provide the vehicles will also be part of the project. The contract will include "114 launchers with Automated Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS), 45 Command Posts to be procured from TPCL and L&T, and 330 Vehicles from BEML." This order included the procurement of Pinaka Mk-II variant of the MBRL.
* On 13 December 2023, the Ministry of Defence cleared the acquisition of 6,400 Pinaka ADM Type 2 and Type 3 rockets at a cost of over . Two main contenders for the order are Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).
* On 29 January 2025, an acquisition of Pinaka rocket ammunition was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The order is valued at . The order includes two contracts of different ammunition variants for the 10 Pinaka regiments on order. The contract was finally signed on 6 February 2025.
** A contract was signed with Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) at a cost of for the procurement of Area Denial Munition Type 1 (DPICM) with a range of 37km.
** Another contract was signed with Munitions India Limited (MIL) at a cost of for the procurement of High Explosive Pre Fragmented Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets EPF Mk-1 (E)with a range of 45km.

Service history

India

Each Pinaka regiment consists of three batteries of six Pinaka launchers (total of 18 launchers); each of which is capable of launching 12 rockets with a range of 40+ km in a space of 44 seconds. In addition to these, a regiment also has support vehicles, a radar and a command post.

The Pinaka will operate in conjunction with the Indian Army's Firefinder radars and Swathi Weapon Locating Radar. The Indian Army is networking all its artillery units together with the DRDO's Artillery Command & Control System (ACCS), which acts as a force multiplier and is in series production. The Pinaka units also uses of the Indian Army's SATA ( Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Units which have been equipped with the Searcher-1, Searcher-2 and IAI Heron UAVs since late 1990s as well as the Israeli Long-Range Reconnaissance and Observation System (LORROS) and Indian Battle Field Surveillance radars (BFSR) of the Indian Army.

A section of two launchers were deployed in June of 1999 during the Kargil War under the 121 Rocket Regiment.

In February 2000, the first Pinaka regiment was raised.

The first two regiments of Pinaka were inducted by 2010. As of 2016, the Indian Army had plans to operate 10 regiments by 2022 and further increase the numbers to 22 regiments within 2032. The Pinaka system will replace the older Grad MLRS regiments are being retired.

As of November 2024, 4 regiments of Pinaka have been inducted by the Army. More than 72 launcher units are active. 6 more regiments were ordered in 2020.

It was reported in March 2024, that the Army plans to raise 2 more Pinaka regiments by the end of year along Line of Actual Control.

Amid 2025 India–Pakistan standoff, firing practices of Pinaka MBRL was conducted in the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) early in the month of May. Further practices were to be conducted "in a few week's time".

Pinaka, Pralay, Nirbhay and BrahMos

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