The Indian armed forces are set to enhance their artillery capabilities with the introduction of new long-range guided rockets designed to effectively counter Chinese-origin systems positioned along the northern borders of India. Following a meticulous validation process that spanned nearly four years, all necessary trials for the indigenous Guided Pinaka rockets have reportedly been completed. These advanced rockets have the capability to target locations over 75 kilometers away and are fitted with a guidance kit that adjusts their trajectory during flight to improve accuracy.
The final series of tests was conducted on November 10, with the military confirming that all technical specifications required by the Army have been fulfilled. Moving forward, plans are in place to extend the rockets’ range to 120 kilometers in the initial phase, with aspirations to achieve over 200 kilometers in the subsequent phase of development; work on these enhancements is already in progress.
The Guided Pinaka system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with four companies—including three private-sector firms—has established local production capabilities. These companies have reportedly set up facilities capable of producing hundreds of these rockets annually, with potential for scalability to thousands if demand necessitates additional output. This ramp-up is feasible because the original Pinaka rockets, which have a range of approximately 37 kilometers, are already being manufactured in large quantities, and the existing production lines are capable of accommodating the new long-range variants.
Key manufacturing partners include Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen and Toubro, which are responsible for assembling the launchers, while Economic Explosives Limited and Munitions India Limited handle the production of the ammunition. The Army is anticipated to place an order for the Guided Pinaka system shortly, especially after receiving the ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ approval from the Ministry of Defence.
Additionally, international interest in the Guided Pinaka rockets has already emerged, with Armenia placing an order and negotiations ongoing with other allied nations for potential exports. The design of the Indian rockets allows for compatibility with existing Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers, which would afford the armed forces greater flexibility in deployment.
The global landscape for long-range rockets has witnessed increased demand, particularly in light of recent conflicts such as the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, which has underscored the strategic value of such systems. Notably, Pakistan recently conducted tests on its Fatah II rocket, developed with assistance from China, claiming a range of 400 kilometers—though these claims remain unverified.
