Pinaka () is a multiple launch rocket system produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) has a maximum range of for Mark-I Enhanced and for Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) version, and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets per launcher in 44 seconds. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck frame. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralising Pakistani positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.
In April 2013, was sanctioned for increasing the production capacity of Pinaka rockets from then 1,000 to 5,000 per year. Unutilised land of the Yantra India Limited was also being considered for further capacity expansion when production of advanced variants would commence. The expansion was completed by 2014.
In 1981, in response to the Indian Army's need for a long range artillery system, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) sanctioned two confidence building projects. In July 1983, the Army formulated their General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for the system. The Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) was appointed the System Coordinator for the project. The project included seven other laboratories of the DRDO, such as the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).
The DRDO was to fabricate seven launcher vehicles, of which six were to be supplied to the Army for user trials, three replenishment-cum-loader vehicles including two for the ArmyâÂÂs user trials, one command post vehicle. Induction was planned at the rate of one Regiment per year from 1994 onwards. This system would eventually replace the BM-21 Grad and BM-30 Smerch of the Indian Army.
Development began in December 1986, with a sanctioned budget of . The development was to be completed in December 1992. As per a report the prototype was rolled out by 1992. The user trials of the system by the Army began by February 1999 after the developmental trials. The user trials ended in December 1999. The first order for full-rate production was placed with Ordnance Factory in 2007.
The Pinaka is in the process of further improvement. Israel Military Industries cooperated with DRDO to implement its Trajectory Correction System (TCS) on the Pinaka, for further improvement of its CEP. Said programme is indicated to have greatly increased the CEP of the Pinaka The rockets can also be guided by GPS to improve their accuracy. A wraparound microstrip antenna has been developed by DRDO for this system.
Sagem completed delivery of its Sigma 30 laser-gyro artillery navigation and pointing system for two Pinaka MBRL systems in June 2010. The Sigma 30 artillery navigation and pointing system is designed for high-precision firing at short notice. The systems would be integrated by Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro. The system was ordered in February 2008.
To decrease single source dependency from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and increase competition in product pricing front, final developmental trials of Pinaka manufactured fully by Indian private sector Solar Industries under Transfer of Technology agreement from DRDO were successfully conducted by Indian Army at Pokhran Range on 19 August 2020.
As of December 2021, the trials of rockets developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. (subsidiary of Solar Industries Group) and Yantra India Limited-Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) are underway for two variants, Mk-I Enhanced and Mk-I ADM. The order for these variants are to be placed with one or two of the competitors in order to replace the shorter ranged Mk-I variant rockets.
The Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1's warhead comprises a DPICM sub-munitions offering anti-access/area denial capabilities to the force against mechanised forces, vehicles and personnel. The orders for ADM Type 1 was placed on 6 February 2025.
The Pinaka Enhanced variant, also known as Enhanced Pinaka Rocket System, was developed as an increased range of with a reduced length. The rocket is associated with the upgraded Enhanced Pinaka Rocket System, or Pinaka Extended Range System. The production partner of the rocket is Economic Explosives Ltd. (subsidiary of Solar Industries Group) which received the technology transfer. The first firing trial of the variant was conducted on 4 November 2020 from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. This will also replace the older Mark 1 variant in production. Further tests were undertaken on 24 June 2021.
The orders for High Explosive, Preformed Fragmentation Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets was placed with the Munitions India Limited on 6 February 2025. The HEPF Mk-1 (E) is an advanced variant of the in-service HEPF.
The Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has also secured contracts for the munition. Its rockets completed the proof firing on 18 March 2026 while the first batch was delivered on 19 March. The proof tests for the MIL's batch is also scheduled in the same month.
The Guided Pinaka rockets is a variant of Mark II and is associated with the Guided Pinaka Weapon System. It is equipped with a navigation, guidance, control kit and has considerably enhanced the range and accuracy of the missile. The rocket has an enhanced range of with an accuracy of at all ranges. The rockets are equipped with Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).
As of September 2022, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the procurement proposal of induction of Guided Pinaka variant. The flight frials of Guided Pinaka as part of validation trials were completed in November 2024.
The first batch of Guided Pinaka rockets were flagged off by the Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, for export to the Armenian Ground Forces from the Rocket Assembly area, Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility, Nagpur facility of Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited (SDAL) on 18 January 2026. The Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility was also inaugurated the same day. The fully-automated facility will supply 30 mm ammunition for the Indian Army and Navy. The tender to acquire the variant for the Indian Army was being finalised.
Pinaka Mk II is being developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune; Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad; and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. This is the second generation variant of Pinaka MBRL.
Pinaka Mark 2 was pursued as part of an incremental development approach to extend the range of Pinaka Mark 1, while the Guided Pinaka emerged as a parallel derivative focused on improving accuracy and precision through the addition of a guidance section.
Pinaka Mark 2 manufactured by Solar Industries completed User Assisted Technical Trial (UATT) on 8 December 2021 and will now go for user trial which will be completed by March 2022. In the meantime, Yantra India Limited-Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) is developing prototype of Pinaka Mark 2 due to delay in transfer of technology by ARDE as of December 2021.
In 2005, ARDE revealed about the development of a long range MRL similar to the Smerch MRLS. A 7.2-metre rocket for the Pinaka MBRL, which can reach a distance of 120 km and carry a 250 kg payload will be developed. These new rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, have a maximum speed of Mach 4.7, rise to an altitude of 40 km before hitting its target at Mach 1.8. Integrating UAVs with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO intends to install guidance systems on these rockets to increase their accuracy.
On 17 January 2024, reports revealed that DRDO is developing two new variants of Pinaka rockets, one with a range of 120 km and the other with a range of over 200 km.
On 24 January 2024, few other reports revealed that the range of the rockets shall be 120 km and 300 km, respectively. The development of new variants have been approved by the Indian Army. While the 120 km rocket is to have the same calibre as of the earlier variants (214 mm), enabling it to be fired from earlier launchers, the Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements of the other variant is being chalked out.
As of February 2025, the developmental trials for 120 km-range rockets are expected to commence within few months. The development process began in 2024, and the first test is scheduled for October 2025. Economic Explosives Limited has developed the LRGR 120 rocket system's pre-production units.
As per reports published in December 2025, the Indian Army has initiated a project to induct 120 km range Pinaka rockets at a cost of . The service had sent a proposal to the defence ministry to be considered by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The rockets would be compatible with in-service Pinaka launchers. The project, referred to as Long Range Guided Rockets, was cleared by the DAC on 29 December.
As per reports published in February 2026, it was reported that DRDO is planning a 450-kilometer range Mk-5 version of Pinaka MBRL, after the 120-kilometer range Mk-3 and 300 km range Mk-4 versions.
Ejectable Rocket Ignition System
For the LRGR 120, ARDE is developing a modular ignition system to increase range, fuel efficiency, and reduce rocket reloading time. In order to lessen the rocket's weight while in flight, it is made to detach from the rocket after launch.
A group of researchers led by Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar, a professor in the aerospace department at IIT Madras and the former Director General of Artillery for the Indian Army Combat and Combat Support Arms, are developing ramjet propulsion technology that will be incorporated into the Pinaka rockets. It is anticipated that the range of 210âÂÂ214 mm rocket will increase at 225âÂÂ250 km with the addition of ramjet propulsion, all the while preserving the operational flexibility of the system.
The development is expected to begin soon as of January 2026. The system will enhance the BM-21 Agnibaan<nowiki/>'s range from to and LRGR-120's range to . The development for BM-21 rockets is expected to span between March 2026 and 2028-end The design will then be transferred to a company for production. This will be followed by development for the Pinaka variant.
In February 2025, it was reported that DRDO has commenced development of Pinaka variant for naval and air force applications. The DRDO has already received the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) from the Navy. The naval variant with a range of 75 km is to be flight tested in 2025 and will have underwater applications including submarine countermeasures. The Air Force also intends to operate surface-to-surface variants as a cost-effective alternative to Pralay missile as well as an air-to-surface variant for integration on the Mirage-2000, HAL Tejas and the Su-30MKI.
Pinaka is a complete MBRL system, with Pinaka battery consisting of: six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets; six loader-replenishment vehicles; six replenishment vehicles; two Command Post vehicle (one stand by) with a Fire Control computer, and the DIGICORA MET radar (meteorological radar, provides data on winds). A battery of six launchers can neutralise an area of 1,000 m ÃÂ 800 m. A Pinaka regiment of the Indian Army consists of three batteries.
The Army generally deploys a battery that has a total of 72 rockets. All of the 72 rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, taking out an area of 1 km<sup>2</sup>. Each launcher can fire in a different direction too. The system has the flexibility to fire all the rockets in one go or only a few. This is made possible with a fire control computer. There is a command post linking together all the six launchers in a battery. Each launcher has an individual computer which enables it to function autonomously in case it gets separated from the other five vehicles in a war.
The Pinaka operates in conjunction with the Indian Army's Firefinder radars and Swathi Weapon Locating Radar. The Indian Army is networking all its artillery units together with the DRDO's Artillery Command & Control System (ACCS), which acts as a force multiplier and is in series production. The Pinaka units also uses of the Indian Army's SATA (Surveillance & Target Acquisition) Units which have been equipped with the Searcher-1, Searcher-2 and IAI Heron UAVs since late 1990s as well as the Israeli Long-Range Reconnaissance and Observation System and Indian Battle Field Surveillance radars of the Indian Army.
The launcher can operate in the following modes:
Autonomous mode. The launcher is fully controlled by a fire control computer (FCC). The microprocessor on the launcher automatically executes the commands received from the FCC, giving the operator the status of the system on displays and indicators.
Stand-alone mode: In this mode, the launcher is not linked to the FCC operator, and the operator at the console enters all the commands for laying of the launcher system and selection of firing parameters.
Remote mode: In this mode, a launcher computer (LC) in a remote control unit carried outside the cabin up to a distance of about 200 m can be used to control the launcher system, the launcher site and to unload the fired rocket pods from the launcher.
Manual mode: All launcher operations including laying of the system and firing are manually controlled. This mode is envisaged in the situations where the microprocessor fails or where there is no power to activate the microprocessor-based operator's console. To ensure deployment flexibility, operational initialization is managed by either a dial sight or an Automatic Gun Alignment and Pointing System (AGAPS).
The Pinaka was tested in the Kargil conflict and proved its effectiveness. Since then it has been inducted into the Indian Army and series production has been ordered. The Pinaka MBRL is stated to be cheaper than other systems. It costs per system compared to the M270 which costs .
Salient features
While DRDO was responsible for the overall design and development of the Pinaka, its partners played a significant role in developing important subsystems and components. They include Tata Power SED (now Tata Advanced Systems; involved in the project since 1989), Larsen & Toubro, Solar Industries, Munitions India Limited and Yantra India Limited. As of August 2024, of the total Pinaka systems in service with the Army, Tata has delivered 40 launchers and 8 Command Posts, with another 36 launchers on order. A technology transfer licensing agreement for the Pinaka and Battery Command Post was signed by DRDO and NIBE Limited on 30 May 2025. Strengthening the industrial foundation for the creation and production of domestic defense equipment is the goal of the agreement.
A section of two launchers were deployed in June 1999 during the Kargil War under the 121 Rocket Regiment.
In February 2000, the first Pinaka regiment was raised.
The first two regiments of Pinaka were inducted by 2010. As of 2016, the Indian Army had plans to operate 10 regiments by 2022 and further increase the numbers to 22 regiments within 2032. The Pinaka system will replace the older Grad MLRS regiments are being retired.
It was reported in March 2024, that the Army plans to raise 2 more Pinaka regiments by the end of year along Line of Actual Control. The regiments were raised by June 2025. Moreover, training is underway as of 23 June 2025 for two additional regiments which are planned to be raised and operationalised within two months. Also, the equipment for the final two regiments as part of the six-regiment order is scheduled to arrive by the end of the year while the regiments are to be operationalised in early 2026.
Amidst the 2025 IndiaâÂÂPakistan standoff, firing practices of Pinaka MBRL was conducted in the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) early in the month of May. Further practices were to be conducted "in a few weeks' time".
As on 15 March 2026, the Army had inducted and operationalised the seventh regiment while the eighth has been raised and has received over half of its equipment. The ninth and tenth are now expected to be inducted in 2027.
Pinaka, Pralay, Nirbhay and BrahMos will become part of the Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), a separate entity from Strategic Forces Command.
Armenia signed a combined deal worth for 4 Pinaka batteries and other defense equipment. The order includes supplies of extended range and guided rocket for Pinaka system in the future. Deliveries began in July 2023, and concluded by November 2024. Armenia has received three Pinaka variants, including the guided Pinaka.
The Armenian Ground Forces was the first to receive the Guided Pinaka, even before the Indian Army, as the first batch was flagged off from the Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility of Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited (SDAL) based in Nagpur on 18 January 2026. As of March, the last consignment of the guided munition variant was dispatched in February while the latter batches are on hold since the 2026 Iran war has complicated logistics and the route of supply.
As of October 2022, Indonesia and Nigeria have also shown interest in Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher.
As of June 2024, some Southeast Asian and European nations has also shown interest to acquire Pinaka MBRL and Netra AEW&C.
On 9 November 2024, Brigadier General Stephane Richou confirmed to Asian News International about the French Army evaluating Pinaka MBRL system for their requirement. This was mentioned during the visit of the high-ranking official who said that that "two countries share much more than just a business relationship and want to cooperate more". French Army chief, Army General Pierre Schill, during his visit to India in October 2025 expressed his interest in the longer-range variant of Pinaka. It is expected to be a reciprocal purchase following Indian aquisition of 114 Rafale jets.France intents to use it as an interim purchase between the phase-out of the M270 MLRS and the induction of the FLP-T MLRS systems.
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