PINAKA-INDIA'S HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL INDIGENOUS MULTI-BARREL ROCKET LAUNCHER

PINAKA:-

      

                                                     Photo:- By Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India

         

          Indian army is always being regarded as one of the mightiest armies. It also stands on the 2nd place by size in the world. It has been under constant tension along the borders. The Indian army was in desperate need of a medium-range rocket launching system in 1981. So India decided to venture into the development and commissioning of indigenous M.B.R.L. i.e. Multi-barrel rocket launcher. The inception took its roots in 1986 with intensive research and the project was completed in 1992 under various D.R.D.O. labs in India.

           This rocket was named as PINAKA, but the question arises, why this name was given to the rocket? The answer lies in Indian Mythology. The name of the bow that is carried by lord Shiva,  commonly known as SHIVADHANUSH is also called as PINAKA. Hence the name was derived as PINAKA.  

   In the operational section, it can be operated using various modes like Autonomous, Standalone, Remote, Manual mode. Typically one launcher vehicle has 2 pods consisting of 6 rockets each, making a launcher capable of firing 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Generally, the Indian Army deploys a BATTERY consisting of 6 launcher vehicles with the capability of firing 72 rockets in 44 seconds which can take out approximately 1000m*800m area. The range of the PINAKA MK 1 is 40 km and PINAKA MK 2 has a range of 80 km.

                Under the future development of the rocket launcher system, D.R.D.O. has teamed up with Israel Military Industry to implement the Trajectory Correction System to further improve the C.E.P. of PINAKA (which is 1 to 2 % currently). Various systems have been implemented including GPS to improve its accuracy. We are planning to have the next guided version with a range of 120 km, a payload of 250 kg, and a speed of 4.7 mach. Presently, we have 7  operational regiments of PINAKA and almost 9 new regiments are being formed. The aim is to make 22 operational regiments within 6 years.

                 Summoning all, PINAKA proved its capability in the Kargil war and was highly efficient. Making an indigenous system is very cost-effective too, costing almost 1/10th of the cost compared to other imported systems. Also, constant standoffs along the borders have forced us to be ready for any hostile situation.

Latest Update:- According to the latest update, the Ministry of Defence has sealed the deal worth Rs. 2580 Crore with Tata Power Company Ltd. and Larson & Toubro to manufacture the Pinaka Rocket launchers. Bharat Earth Movers Limited a Defence PSU company will supply the launching vehicles on which rocket launchers will be mounted. A total of 6 Regiments will be formed and deployed at the Northern & Eastern Borders. This project is supposed to be fully deployed by 2024.

If you have any doubt, please leave it in the comment I will try to clear it. See you guys in the next blog.

Regards,

Bhargav Deshpande