Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher: Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}

| manufacturer      = [[Solar Industries]], [[Tata Group]], [[Larsen & Toubro]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Tata Group, L&T to build six Pinaka rocket regiments for Army|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tata-group-lt-to-build-six-pinaka-rocket-regiments-for-army/article32488946.ece/amp/|access-date=25 March 2022 |agency=PIB |work=The Hindu|date=31 August 2022}}</ref> <br/>[[Yantra India Limited]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Arya |first1=Shishir |title=Pvt co, PSU test firepower of Pinaka rocket new version |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/pvt-co-psu-test-firepower-of-pinaka-rocket-new-versions/articleshow/88214856.cms |access-date=11 December 2021 |agency=TNN |publisher=Times of India |date=11 December 2021}}</ref>

| production_date    = 1994-present<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org-101/sys/land/row/pinaka.htm|title=Pinaka Multibarrel Rocket Launcher|access-date=23 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223201044/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/pinaka.htm|archive-date=23 December 2022}}{{vs|reason= The older has been dead so it requires a new link for verification|date=August 2021}})</ref>

| variants          = * Mk-I: {{convert|37.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Gabriel |title=India tests enhanced version of rocket used by Pinaka MRL |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/india-tests-enhanced-version-of-rocket-used-by-pinaka-mrl/ |website=Janes |access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref>

* Mk-I Enhanced: {{convert|45|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shishir |title=IN dia test-fires long range Pinaka rocket system, will be deployed to counter China |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-successfully-test-fires-enhanced-version-of-pinaka-rocket-system/story-waLts08Nqlq01cwHhACqjN.html |access-date=4 November 2020 |agency=ANI |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=4 November 2022}}</ref>  

Pinaka saw service during the [[Kargil War]], where it was successful in neutralising Pakistani positions on the mountain tops.<ref>{{cite news|title=India to increase production of indigenously developed rocket 'Pinaka'|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-to-increase-production-of-indigenously-developed-rocket-pinaka-115040500033_1.html|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=14 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214173105/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-to-increase-production-of-indigenously-developed-rocket-pinaka-115040500033_1.html|archive-date=14 February 2018|location=Wayback Machine|date=5 April 2022}}</ref> It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.<ref name=st22a13>{{cite news|title=Pinaka rocket system wins DRDO award|url=http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5055142784656506184&SectionId=5171561142064258099SectionName=Pune&NewsTitle=Pinaka%20rocket%20system%20wins%20DRDO%20award|access-date=24 July 2013|newspaper=Sakaal Times|date=22 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220531/http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=5055142784656506184&SectionId=5171561142064258099SectionName%3DPune&NewsTitle=Pinaka%20rocket%20system%20wins%20DRDO%20award|archive-date=4 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=jj25m13>{{cite news|title=Union Government cleared 1500 crore Rupees Proposal for Pinaka Rockets|url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/union-government-cleared-1500-crore-rupees-proposal-for-pinaka-rockets-1364198034-1|access-date=24 July 2013|newspaper=Jagran Josh|date=25 March 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808185501/http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/union-government-cleared-1500-crore-rupees-proposal-for-pinaka-rockets-1364198034-1|archive-date=8 August 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

A series of 6 rockets were tested successfully for extended range version of Pinaka from Chandipur on 4 November 2020 that is now going 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Waje|first1=Hemant|date=4 November 2020|title=DRDO successfully test-fires advanced Pinaka rockets|publisher=Rediff|agency=ANI|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/drdo-successfully-test-fires-advanced-pinaka-rockets/20201104.htm|access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shishir |title=India test-fires long range Pinaka rocket system, will be deployed to counter China |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-successfully-test-fires-enhanced-version-of-pinaka-rocket-system/story-waLts08Nqlq01cwHhACqjN.html |access-date=4 November 2020 |agency=ANI |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=4 November 2022}}</ref>

Presently, 7 regiments of Pinaka have now been inducted by the Army.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} A total of 126 launcher units are active with combine of the 7 regiments, with Each regiment has 18 launcher units. An additional 3 are on order and in November 2016 the MoD has cleared a RFP for 6 more regiments.<ref name="ETDec2016">{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-looking-at-increasing-pinaka-rocket-regiments-to-22-within-a-decade/articleshow/55852579.cms|title=Indian Army looking at increasing Pinaka rocket regiments to 22 within a decade|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2016-12-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209133821/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-looking-at-increasing-pinaka-rocket-regiments-to-22-within-a-decade/articleshow/55852579.cms|archive-date=9 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This led to the signing of a contract on 31 August 2020 for six additional regiments worth of launchers at Rs 2,580 crore from Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) and engineering major 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.<ref name="TheWire01092020">{{cite web |url=https://thewire.in/security/defence-ministry-inks-rs-2580-crore-deal-to-procure-pinaka-rocket-launchers | title=Defence Ministry Inks Rs 2,580-Crore Deal To Procure Pinaka Rocket Launchers |author=PTI |date=1 September 2020 | work=TheWire.in |access-date=1 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901074611/https://thewire.in/security/defence-ministry-inks-rs-2580-crore-deal-to-procure-pinaka-rocket-launchers |archive-date=1 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was successfully tested at the Chandipur Test Range in January 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://asiandefencenewstoday.blogspot.com/2013/02/successfully-test-fired-for-indian-made.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113608/http://asiandefencenewstoday.blogspot.com/2013/02/successfully-test-fired-for-indian-made.html|url-status=dead|title=Successful Test of Pinaka 214mm MBRL|archive-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> and on 20 December 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.asp?get=new&id=2740|title=Successful Test of Pinaka MK-II Rocket System|date=21 December 2013|newspaper=Defence News|access-date=22 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224110603/http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.asp?get=new&id=2740|archive-date=24 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Advanced-Pinaka-with-new-technology-test-fired/2016/05/21/article3444037.ece|title=Advanced Pinaka with new technology test fired|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2016-05-23|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522172915/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Advanced-Pinaka-with-new-technology-test-fired/2016/05/21/article3444037.ece|archive-date=22 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Pinaka-rockets-test-fired/2016/05/24/article3448142.ece|title=Pinaka rockets test fired|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2016-05-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525142608/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Pinaka-rockets-test-fired/2016/05/24/article3448142.ece|archive-date=25 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 12 January 2017 and 24 January 2017, two successful tests was conducted with range of 65&nbsp;km and 75&nbsp;km respectively from Launch Complex-III, Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/guided-pinaka-test-fired-successfully-again/articleshow/56759830.cms|title=Guided Pinaka test fired successfully again - Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2017-01-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124220437/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/guided-pinaka-test-fired-successfully-again/articleshow/56759830.cms|archive-date=24 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/guided-pinaka-rocket-successfully-test-fired/articleshow/56759013.cms|title=Guided Pinaka rocket successfully test fired - The Economic Times|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=2017-01-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124130410/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/guided-pinaka-rocket-successfully-test-fired/articleshow/56759013.cms|archive-date=24 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-tests-new-improved-guided-pinaka-rockets-ahead-republic-day-2017-713469|title=India tests new improved guided Pinaka rockets ahead of Republic Day 2017|last=Bhat|first=Aditya|newspaper=International Business Times, India Edition|language=en|access-date=2017-01-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126073702/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-tests-new-improved-guided-pinaka-rockets-ahead-republic-day-2017-713469|archive-date=26 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 30 May 2018, two rounds of tests were successfully conducted from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/upgraded-pinaka-rocket-successfully-test-fired-range-now-70km/story-3oo3H7g7CWImmbbP4B7fiM.html|title=Upgraded Pinaka rocket successfully test-fired, range now 70km|date=2018-05-30|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2018-06-01|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/upgraded-pinaka-rocket-successfully-test-fired/articleshow/64383582.cms|title=Upgraded Pinaka rocket successfully test-fired|date=2018-05-30|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-06-01}}</ref> Another round of tests was conducted successfully on 11 March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/boost-to-indian-army-artillery-capability-pinaka-guided-weapons-system-successfully-test-fired/1512518/ | title=Boost to Indian Army artillery capability! Pinaka guided weapons system successfully test fired| date=11 March 2022}}</ref> An extended range version was tested for a range up to 90&nbsp;km on 19 December 2019,<ref name = "ANIDec2019"/> followed by another test on 20 December.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pinaka-missile-system-successfully-flight-tested-for-2nd-day/articleshow/72902536.cms|title=Pinaka missile system successfully flight-tested for 2nd day|date=2019-12-20|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-12-21}}</ref>

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 [[Circular error probable|CEP]]. This has been trialled and has shown excellent results.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/artillery/tcs/TCS.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020112540/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/missile_systems/artillery/tcs/TCS.html|title=TCS|archive-date=20 October 2008|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> The rockets can also be guided by [[GPS]] to improve their accuracy. A wraparound microstrip antenna has been developed by DRDO for this system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drdo.org/Electronics/antenna.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210053255/http://www.drdo.org/Electronics/antenna.html|title=DRDO::Electronics|archive-date=10 December 2008|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>

While the Pinaka will not be developed further into a larger system, its success and the experience gained from the programme has led the ARDE and its partner organisations, to launch a project to develop a long range MRL similar to the [[BM-30 Smerch|Smerch MRLS]]. A 7.2-metre rocket for the Pinaka MBRL, which can reach a distance of 120&nbsp;km and carry a 250&nbsp;kg payload will be developed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mathews|first=Neelam|date=17 September 2020|title=PREMIUM: India ignites production of Pinaka II rocket systems - Land Warfare - Shephard Media|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/india-ignites-production-pinaka-ii-rocket-systems/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Shephard|language=en}}</ref> These new rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, have a maximum speed of mach 4.7, rise to an altitude of 40&nbsp;km before hitting its target at Mach 1.8. Integrating [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]] with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO intends to install guidance systems on these rockets to increase their accuracy. [[Sagem]] completed delivery of its [[SAGEM Sigma 30|Sigma 30]] laser-gyro artillery navigation and pointing system to be equipped with the Pinaka multiple launch rocket system in June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/news/defence/systems/jmr/jmr100628_2_n.shtml|title=Global Defence Systems - News and Headlines - IHS Jane's 360|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> The Sigma 30 artillery navigation and pointing system is designed for high-precision firing at short notice.

* [[Indian Army]] - 4 regiments in service as of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/special/pinaka-rocket-boosts-indias-strike-power/20201119.htm|title=Pinaka rocket boosts India's strike power|website=www.rediff.com|date=19 November 2022}}</ref> Six MK1 regiments ordered in September 2020, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/indian-mod-orders-six-regiments-worth-of-pinaka-multi-barrel-rocket-launchers|title=Indian MoD orders six regiments' worth of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers|website=www.janes.com|date=1 September 2022}}</ref>