Pinaka MBRL (File Photo)

Trials of the Pinaka extended range rocket were carried out at Pokhran Firing Ranges in Rajasthan on Wednesday. Multiple successful test firings were carried out during the tests.

The Pinaka rocket has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), however, the rockets are produced by private sector firm. The Pinaka is an Artillery Missile System capable of striking into enemy territory up to a range of 75 kilometres with high precision.

In April 2022, the DRDO and Indian Army successfully flight-tested Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems at Pokhran Firing Ranges.

A total of 24 EPRS rockets were fired for different ranges and all the rockets achieved required accuracy and consistency during the trials. The EPRS is the upgraded version of Pinaka variant which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade.

In June 2021, the DRDO had successfully test fired extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on June 24 and 25 at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

Twenty-five Enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched in quick succession against targets at different ranges. All the mission objectives were met during the launches. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System is capable of destroying targets at distances up to 45 kms.

The missile system has been jointly developed by various DRDO Laboratories viz. 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). Amid the ongoing border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has deployed Pinaka and Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS) at forward position.