India successfully completes Pinaka guided Weapon System flight-test

India has successfully conducted a series of flight-tests of its advanced Guided Pinaka Weapon System, demonstrating a significant stride in defense capabilities amid increasing global demand for precision weaponry. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in coordination with the Defence Ministry, announced that the tests validated the system's range, accuracy, and multi-target engagement capabilities through salvo firing across three phases at various field firing ranges.

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The trials involved the firing of 12 rockets from each of the production agencies using two upgraded in-service Pinaka launchers, reflecting the ongoing effort to strengthen and standardize India's indigenous defense manufacturing. The validation comes under the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR).

India's defense manufacturing, a key aspect of its ‘Make in India’ initiative, is seeing increased global interest. France has expressed interest in acquiring the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system to enhance its artillery capabilities, with talks reportedly in advanced stages and tests planned in the near future. Notably, Armenia was the first international buyer of the system.

The Pinaka, named after Lord Shiva’s mythical bow, has a storied history, having been first deployed during the 1999 Kargil War, where it played a crucial role in dismantling enemy strongholds. Designed as a replacement for the Russian Grad BM-21 launcher, it is now regarded as being comparable to the American HIMARS system.