The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in the advanced stages of developing a 120-kilometre strike variant of the Pinaka rocket system. The first test of this upgraded version is expected to take place in the next financial year.
In a significant development for India’s indigenous weapons programme, the Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the procurement of ammunition worth over ₹10,000 crore for the Indian Army’s Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system. This decision marks a major step forward in strengthening the country’s artillery capabilities. According to defence sources cited by ANI, the approved procurement includes Area Denial Munitions and Enhanced Range Pinaka rockets. The decision was finalised during a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held on Wednesday. The production of this ammunition will be divided between two key manufacturers—Solar Industries, based in Nagpur, and Munitions India Limited (MIL), which was formerly part of the Ordnance Factory Board.
During his annual press conference on 13 January, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi had indicated that government clearance was expected soon for the Pinaka ammunition contracts. These include a ₹5,700 crore contract for high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition and a ₹4,500 crore contract for Area Denial Munitions. On Wednesday - 29th Jan 2025, the government formally approved a ₹10,200 crore procurement plan for Pinaka ammunition, providing a substantial boost to India’s artillery modernisation efforts. Senior government officials informed India Today that under this initiative, two types of ammunition will be acquired for the Indian Army.
Two contracts are expected to be signed by the end of the current financial year, concluding on 31 March. These contracts will secure the required ammunition for the 10 Pinaka regiments currently in service, with additional regiments planned for the future. The Pinaka rocket system has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the Indian Army, particularly in high-altitude regions along the northern borders with China. Its precision strike capability in challenging terrains has established it as one of the most advanced artillery rocket systems in the world.
Developed by the DRDO, the Pinaka system has undergone significant advancements, with its range currently extended to 75 kilometres. Further developments are underway to increase this range to 120 kilometres, with long-term plans to push it even further to 300 kilometres. If these upgrades prove successful, the enhanced Pinaka system could replace other long-range artillery weapons in the Indian Army’s arsenal.
With inputs from agencies
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