India has recently successfully tested the Guided Pinaka Weapon System, which is based on an indigenous technology and can prove to be an important step in the defense sector.
Key Points
- India successfully tested the Guided Pinaka Weapon System, which is based on indigenous technology.
- This test was conducted by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
- The system’s firepower, accuracy and ability to attack multiple targets were tested.
- This system can fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds, i.e. one rocket every 4 seconds.
- The test was conducted at three different places, in which a total of 24 rockets were fired, which managed to successfully hit their targets.
- Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the Army and called it a step to increase the strength of the army.
- Guided Pinaka system was developed by DRDO scientists, and many companies contributed to it.
- DRDO chief Sameer V. Kamat expressed happiness over this success, and this system is ready to join the army.
Pinaka
- Maximum length: 23 feet 7 inches
- Diameter: 8.4 inches
- Weight: 280 kg
- Speed: 5757.70 km/h
- Variants: Pinaka MK-1, Pinaka MK-2
- Capacity: Ability to fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds
- Range: 7 km to 90 km
Guided Pinaka Weapon System
- Naming: Pinaka Rocket Launcher System is named after Lord Shiva’s bow ‘Pinaka’. • Construction: It has been developed by DRDO’s Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
- Battery Structure: A battery consists of six launch vehicles, which are connected with loader systems, radars, network-based systems and command posts.
Version: It has two versions
- Mark I: Its range is 40 km.
- Mark II: Its range is 75 km.
- Future Range: There is a plan to increase the range of Pinaka rockets to 120-300 km.
- Feature: Pinaka Rocket Launcher System consists of 12 rockets of 214 mm.
- Speed: Its speed is 5,757.70 km per hour, that is, it attacks at a speed of 1.61 km every second.
- Test: Its 24 tests were successfully conducted in 2023, which proves its capability.
Pinaka Rocket Launcher System: Historical Background and Comparison
- Initial Need: In 1981, the Indian Army felt the need for long-range missiles, after which DRDO was allocated Rs 26 crore for the project in 1986.
- Military Success: During the Kashmir War (Kargil War) in 1999, Pinaka effectively attacked the Pakistan Army and proved its strength.
- Special Regiment: In 2000, a separate regiment was started to be formed for Pinaka, making its deployment and operation more effective.
- New Variant Testing: On 19 August 2020, a new variant of Pinaka was successfully tested in Pokhran, which shows its development and capability.
- International Comparison: One of the many modern weapons that pushed Russia back in the Ukraine war is the American HIMARS missile. However, Pinaka has surpassed HIMARS in its operational range and firing capability.
- Operational range: Pinaka has a range of 800 km, while HIMARS has a range of 450 km.
- Firing capability: Pinaka can fire 12 rockets at a time, while HIMARS can fire only 6 rockets.