Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) developed by Armament Research Development Establishment (ARDE). ARDE was responsible for design and development establishment and subsystems and components were in a joint venture with Tata Power SED, L&T and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). The Indian Army had imported BM-21 Grad weapon system (a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher.) in the ’80s.
To meet the Indian army’s need for long-range artillery the Ministry of Defence sanctioned a project for developing a similar system. The qualitative requirement for this platform was frozen in 1983. It took almost 15/16 years for the equipment to be put to user trial and was baptized by fire in 1999 during the Kargil operations. After this, it was decided to induct Pinaka in the Indian Army. As of date, at least two regiments of Pinaka are in service. The existing range of the system is 37-40 km and it can fire 10-12 rockets in 40 seconds.
The prime mover of this system is an 8x8x Tatra vehicle as of now. To decrease the single source dependence of the army on OFB and increase competition ARDE successfully test-fired Pinaka rockets with a private source namely Economics Explosive Ltd. It is a Nagpur based firm and is fully involved in indigenous up-gradation of defence platforms. This rocket has an extended range of about 50km. The range is to be progressively extended to 65-70 km.
Pinaka is a complete MBRL system, each Pinaka battery consists of six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets; six loader-replenishment vehicles; three replenishment vehicles; two Command Post vehicle (one stand by) with a Fire Control computer, and the DIGICORA MET radar. A battery of six launchers can neutralise an area of 1,000m × 800m. The System is now been trial evaluated (TECHNICAL TRIALS) for a range of 65-70 kms in the Balasore Range in Odisha. However, it will take some more time to reach the level of Army Acceptance.
