India successfully completes flight-tests of guided Pinaka weapon system
India has successfully completed the flight tests of the Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of a series of validation trials, the Defence Ministry announced.
During these tests, the system's Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR), including key parameters such as range, accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in salvo mode, were rigorously assessed.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry confirmed that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had successfully conducted these trials. The flight tests were carried out in three phases across different field firing ranges.
"Twelve rockets from each production agency, launched from two upgraded in-service Pinaka launchers, were tested during these trials," the statement said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful completion of the PSQR validation trials. He noted that the induction of the Guided Pinaka Weapon System would significantly enhance the artillery firepower of the Indian Armed Forces.
The precision strike variant of the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a fully indigenous weapon system. It has been designed and developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with several DRDO laboratories, including the Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, and Proof & Experimental Establishment. Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited are the production agencies for the ammunition, while Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro were responsible for the Pinaka launchers and Battery Command Post.
Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the teams involved in the successful trials. He added that the rocket system had "completed all prerequisite flight trials before induction into the Indian Army."
