New Delhi:
Amid an increase in international demand for it, India at present efficiently accomplished the flight-test of its superior guided weapon system Pinaka. During the check, the Pinaka system’s vary, accuracy, consistency and charge of fireside for a number of goal engagement in a salvo mode had been assessed.
“Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO has efficiently accomplished the flight-tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as a part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials,” the Defence Ministry mentioned at present, including that the flight-tests have been performed in three phases at totally different area firing ranges.
“Twelve rockets from every manufacturing company from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher manufacturing companies have been examined,” the assertion mentioned.
With this, New Delhi’s defence manufacturing push underneath ‘Make in India’ is gaining momentum. France has not too long ago confirmed curiosity within the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher or MBRL system to bolster its defences.
THE PINAKA SYSTEM
The Pinaka system, thought-about on par with America’s HIMARS system, has been India’s first main defence export as conflict-hit Armenia had positioned the primary order. Now France has additionally proven curiosity within the superior rocket system to spice up its military’s artillery division. In truth, talks are already at a reasonably superior stage, sources aware of the matter mentioned, including that France has determined to check the system within the coming weeks.
Named after Lord Shiva’s divine bow, the Pinaka rocket system was a alternative for the Russian Grad BM-21 rocket launcher for the Indian Army. It was first deployed in the course of the 1999 Kargil War. The Pinaka system had performed a pivotal position in destroying Pakistani positions at strategic heights in the course of the warfare.
The Pinaka rocket system is developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment or ARDE, which comes underneath the DRDO. The system includes of a free-flight artillery rocket having a most vary of 38 km with various kinds of warheads and fuzes. It comes with a multi-tube launcher automobile, a replenishment-cum-loader automobile, a replenishment automobile, and a command publish automobile.
The multi-barrel rocket system has two pods containing 6 rockets every, able to firing all 12 rockets in salvo mode inside 44 seconds, neutralizing a goal space of 700 x 500 meters. For the Indian Army’s particular requirement of a free flight rocket with enhanced vary, ARDE has efficiently developed the Pinaka Mk-II rocket with a 60-km vary. The present launch automobile and floor methods of Pinaka MBRS is used for the Mk-II as properly, with minor modifications for firing this new rocket.
A battery can hearth 72 rockets. Each launcher can now be operated independently and rockets might be fired individually or concurrently in several instructions. The launcher could also be operated in guide, distant, stand alone, and autonomous modes. Its shoot-and-scoot capabilities additionally allow it to flee counter battery hearth.
The present model of the Pinaka system is a guided one, which signifies that the rockets have seekers, that are used for precision strikes. Because of it changing into a guided system, it has now been in a position to enhance its vary to almost double of what the primary model was. The DRDO is now engaged on a guided Pinaka system which is able to ranges better than 120 km, 150 km, and 200 km to counter China’s long-range guided rocket methods.
GLOBAL INTEREST
The system is already in service with the Indian Army and deployed each on the LoC with Pakistan and LAC with China. It was additionally reportedly delivered to Armenia by way of Iran in 2023 to bolster its defence towards Azerbaijan.
France’s transfer to contemplate shopping for the Pinaka system is a part of the trouble to spice up defence and strategic ties between the 2 nations. France is India’s second greatest defence provider after Russia. The latest T AC 295 transport plane deal and the Rafael deal are testomony to Paris and New Delhi’s steadfast defence ties.