120-km Pinaka Rocket: On Monday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, also known as DRDO, successfully tested the Pinaka long-range guided rocket for the first time. This rocket can hit targets up to 120 km away. The test took place at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. During the test, the rocket reached its full range and showed all planned movements while flying in the air.
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120-km Pinaka Rocket: Features
Former DRDO scientist Dr Ravi Gupta spoke about why this rocket system is very important. He said the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system changed India’s defence story in many ways. He explained that this was the first defence system in India that private companies helped to make.
He said, “It was in 2008, under the leadership of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, that for the first time in the history of independent India, the participation of private industry in the defence sector was approved. This proved to be a game-changer, and leveraging this, DRDO collaborated with the private sector to have it produced by private industries.”
Dr Gupta also spoke about the past use of Pinaka. He said that during the Kargil War, even though the system was not fully ready, it still showed strong performance. He added, “Since then, it has made a very significant contribution to the Army. Moreover, the advantage of a multi-barrel rocket launcher is that it is less expensive. Compared to our guided missiles, its cost is significantly lower, although its accuracy is not as high as that of guided missiles.”
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Battlefield Strength
The Defence Ministry said the maiden flight test of the Pinaka long-range guided rocket, also called LRGR 120, went well. The rocket launched from the same Pinaka launcher already used by the Army.
DRDO designed this rocket through its Armament Research and Development Establishment. Other DRDO labs also helped, including the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, and Research Centre Imarat.
Dr Gupta told news agency ANI that this new rocket has accuracy close to a guided missile but costs much less. He said, “A large area of enemy territory can be destroyed in just a few minutes. A 120-kilometre range can prove very decisive for a tactical weapon on the battlefield, and this will give our armed forces great strength and power.”
