The Indian Defense Ministry has approved a proposal for the acquisition of approximately 6,400 rockets intended for the Pinaka multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS). Valued at 2,800 crore Indian Rupees, which equates to roughly 356 million US dollars, this significant purchase forms a crucial part of the ongoing artillery modernization efforts within the Indian Army.
Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Pinaka MLRS, named after the legendary bow of the Hindu god Shiva, exemplifies the rising prowess of the Indian defense industry. This system is among the first Indian military equipment to be exported abroad, including to countries like Armenia.
The Pinaka is an MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The Pinaka is based on a 6×6 military truck BEML-Tatra T813/T815 with a launcher unit mounted at the rear of the truck chassis consisting of two blocks of six tube launchers. The system is capable of firing free flight as well as guided Pinaka rockets. The free flight rockets can engage targets up to 37.5 km (Pinaka Mk-I) and 60 km (Pinaka Mk-II) range whereas guided Pinaka rockets can engage targets located deep into enemy territory up to a range of 75 km with high precision.
The rockets to be procured fall into two types: Area Denial Munition Type 2 and Type 3. In line with India’s self-reliance policy, these rockets will be exclusively sourced from domestic companies, namely Economic Explosives Limited, a subsidiary of Solar Industries, and Munitions India Limited, formed from the corporatization of former ordnance factories.