Indian Army to modernize artillery as mass production of Guided Pinaka rocket launcher begins.

On November 14, 2024, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the successful completion of flight tests for the Guided Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) during validation trials. Conducted in three phases across various field firing ranges, the tests evaluated the system's range, accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for multiple target engagements in salvo mode. The system is now ready for mass production and deployment as part of the Indian Army's artillery modernization efforts.
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Compared to the original Pinaka MLRS, the Guided Pinaka extends the firing range to approximately 75 kilometers while adding precision targeting capabilities, making it suitable for high-value targets like command centers or fortified positions. (Picture source: DRDO)

The Guided Pinaka is a precision-strike variant of the Pinaka MLRS, designed and developed entirely within India. Its development involved collaboration between the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), and Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE). Rockets are manufactured by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL), while Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) produce the launchers and Battery Command Posts. The system integrates advanced navigation, guidance, and control technologies, utilizing inertial navigation with GPS/NavIC for accuracy within 30 meters.

The original Pinaka MLRS employs unguided rockets with a range of about 40 kilometers, designed to target large areas such as troop concentrations or infrastructure. The Guided Pinaka, in contrast, extends the range to approximately 75 kilometers while adding precision targeting capabilities, making it suitable for high-value targets like command centers or fortified positions. Payloads also differ: the Pinaka MLRS delivers a variety of warheads, including high-explosive and submunitions, whereas the Guided Pinaka uses specialized warheads for minimized collateral damage. Both systems share a common platform but are optimized for different operational needs, with the Guided Pinaka offering enhanced range and accuracy.

The Pinaka MLRS, originally developed to replace the Russian BM-21 Grad, has undergone significant upgrades since its inception in 1986. Early models, such as the Pinaka Mk-I, had a range of 37.5 kilometers, while newer versions like the Enhanced Mk-I and Mk-II extend the range to 75 kilometers. The Guided Pinaka variant further increases this to 90 kilometers with trajectory correction systems, and current efforts aim to extend the range to 120 and 300 kilometers.

The system comprises several components, including six launcher vehicles per battery, each equipped with 12 rockets, six loader-replenishment vehicles, six additional replenishment vehicles, and two command post vehicles with fire control systems. A battery of six launchers can fire 72 rockets in 44 seconds, covering an area of approximately 1,000 by 800 meters. Operational modes include autonomous, stand-alone, remote, and manual, providing deployment flexibility. The launchers, mounted on high-mobility vehicles such as Tatra trucks, feature NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection and shoot-and-scoot capabilities.

The Pinaka system has been operational since the Kargil War, where it effectively targeted enemy positions. Since then, the Indian Army has steadily inducted the system, with production shared between private and public sector entities, including Yantra India Limited, Solar Industries, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), TASL, and L&T. Efforts to boost production have included partnerships with private firms under technology transfer agreements.

Recent developments include extended-range and guided variants. The Mk-II offers a maximum range of 75 kilometers, while ongoing trials for Enhanced and Guided versions aim to standardize the Mk-II for broader deployment. The system accommodates various warheads, including high-explosive fragmentation, cluster munitions, and anti-tank types, with detonation mechanisms ranging from contact to proximity fuses.

The Indian Army currently operates four Pinaka regiments, with additional regiments planned. Six regiments of the Mk-II variant were ordered in 2020, and more are set to replace older systems like the BM-21 Grad. The Pinaka has also drawn international interest; Armenia has procured four batteries and guided rockets under a recent contract. Other countries, including Indonesia, Nigeria, and France, have shown interest, with the French Army evaluating the system for potential inclusion in its arsenal.