The Indian Army and the country’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested a new version of the Pinaka rocket system, the defense ministry announced last week.
In a series of trials, 24 Pinaka Mk-I rockets were fired from different ranges in the Pokhran Firing Ranges in the northern state of Rajasthan. The weapon system met all the accuracy and consistency parameters, according to the ministry.
“With these trails, the initial phase of technology absorption of EPRS by the industry has successfully been completed and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series production of the rocket system,” the defense ministry said in a statement.
The enhanced EPRS has been upgraded and designed with advanced technologies which enhance the rocket system’s range to meet the emerging requirements of the Indian army, considering the regional tensions with Pakistan and China.
It is considered to replace the army’s existing Pinaka Mk-I rockets, which have a range of around 40 kilometers (25 miles).
The development and production of the new rocket system will be supported by state-owned agency Munitions India Limited and Nagpur-based company Economic Explosives Limited.
The Pinaka Rocket System
The Pinaka rocket system, which is a multi-barrel rocket system (MBRS), has been in service with the Indian Army for a decade. Capable of firing rockets up to a range of 90 kilometers (56 miles), the EPRS can shoot 12 rockets in 44 seconds.
The DRDO started the development of rockets in the 1980s as an alternative to the Russian MBRS “Grad,” which are currently in use.
One battery of the EPRS comprises six launch vehicles, a radar, loader systems, and links with network-based systems and a command post.
A single battery is capable of neutralizing an area of one square kilometer (0.6 square miles).