The Indian armed forces are set to enhance their artillery capabilities with the introduction of new long-range guided rockets, specifically designed to counter the growing threat from Chinese-origin systems positioned along India’s northern borders. This development follows the completion of all validation trials, a process that has taken nearly four years to finalize.
The indigenous Guided Pinaka rockets boast an impressive range of over 75 kilometers. These rockets are equipped with an advanced guidance kit, allowing for course corrections during flight, which significantly improves their accuracy. The final tests were successfully conducted on November 10, confirming that all technical requirements set forth by the Army have been effectively met.
Looking ahead, plans are in place to extend the range of these rockets to 120 kilometers in the first phase, followed by an ambitious goal of exceeding 200 kilometers in a second phase. Work on achieving these extended ranges is already in progress. The development of this system has been spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with four companies, including three from the private sector, all of which have established production facilities for these rockets.
The recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia has spurred a notable increase in global demand for long-range rockets, even as supplies remain scarce. Current production capabilities in India allow for the manufacture of hundreds of these advanced rockets each year, with the potential to ramp up production into the thousands should demand increase.
Sources indicate that this surge in production is feasible due to the existing facilities that have been used for the original Pinaka rockets, which have a range of approximately 37 kilometers. These facilities are fully equipped to produce the newer, long-range versions as well. Key participants in this program include Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen and Toubro, which are responsible for the launchers, while Economic Explosives Limited and Munitions India Limited will handle ammunition production.
The Army is expected to soon formalize an order for the Guided Pinaka system, following the defence ministry’s issuance of an ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ approval. Furthermore, the rockets have already caught the attention of international markets, with an order placed by Armenia. Discussions are also in progress to supply the system to additional friendly foreign nations.
Importantly, the Indian rockets are designed to be compatible with the existing Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers, providing the armed forces with significant operational flexibility. This enhancement in capability comes as Pakistan recently tested its own Fatah II system, developed with Chinese assistance, which reportedly has a claimed, though unverified, range of 400 kilometers, underscoring the strategic importance of India’s advancements in long-range missile technology.
