DRDO Developing 120 km, 150 km, and 200 km Range Variants of Guided Pinaka Rocket System to Counter China

In a move that significantly bolsters India's artillery capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing new variants of its Guided Pinaka Rocket System with extended ranges of 120 km, 150 km, and 200 km.

This development marks a major advancement in India's indigenous rocket artillery program, providing the Indian Army with enhanced precision and reach to address a wider range of battlefield scenarios.

Originally designed as a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) with a conventional range of 40 km, the Pinaka system, named after Lord Shiva's bow, has proven its effectiveness with the Pinaka Mk-I and Mk-II already inducted into the Indian Army. The Guided Pinaka variant, with its increased range and precision-guided capabilities, represents a significant leap forward.

Extended Ranges for Enhanced Capabilities​

The latest iterations of the Guided Pinaka system offer a substantial increase in range, providing the Indian Army with greater operational flexibility:

• 120 km Range: This variant bridges the gap between conventional rocket systems and longer-range precision missiles, offering enhanced accuracy for short-range tactical targets.
• 150 km Range: This version provides versatility for mid-range engagements, enabling rapid response and concentrated firepower with precision.
• 200 km Range: This variant extends the Pinaka system's reach into the domain of short-range ballistic missiles, allowing for strikes deep into enemy territory and the neutralization of high-value targets at considerable distances.

The development of a 200 km range Pinaka variant has significant strategic implications for India's defence posture, particularly along its borders. This extended range provides the Indian Army with options previously unavailable, enhancing its long-range precision strike capabilities.

The guided versions ensure that the system can be deployed for both area saturation and precision strikes.

This development aligns with India's strategic focus on enhancing long-range firepower along its borders, where diverse terrain and complex operational requirements demand flexible and high-impact solutions.

 

[sanket]

Good Hope all this variants will Find Export market & Earn Foreign exchange

 

[SK]

Ukraine-Russian War showed the importance of long range Missiles for Conventional Operations.

 

[Satya Dev]

But why & who in DRDO decided to shelve the development of 120km ranged Pinaka mk3 when even PA fielded the chinese 120-130km range A100 MRL 10-15 years ago?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Pakistan army has inducted Fatah 2 this year. Fatah2, multiple rocket launcher has a range of 400KM. Our Forces are still planning for 200KM version which they will induct after 15 years.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

We have to simultaneously work on the missile version to be carried by fighters for long standoff attacks like how the Israelis did and used it very effectively to strike Iran from far away. It's the Rampage missiles which are in service with the navy for the MiG-29 fighters. It's obvious that the IAF would like to have goodies like that in the future, though the quoted distance is 250 km is suspect, it's much more. They attack the target in a vertical dive at supersonic speeds and are virtually unstoppable. This was demonstrated by Iran that fired missiles into Israel that targeted air bases and even Israel could not intercept them.

There is another deadly air-launched rocket called the Air LORA, i.e., the air-launched version of the LORA battlefield missile that's extremely accurate. Israel used it very effectively for precision strikes against Iranian missile sites and nuclear support facilities. The S-300 of Iran could not do anything to stop them.

The Air LORA is a massive missile and weighs 1600 kgs, many fighters can't carry it. F-16 can. Our Su-30MKI can easily carry 4 of them. The good news is India is making these missiles with Israeli collaboration. The ground version has a range of 400km, but there is no literature in the catalogue for it regarding its air-launched range. We can easily assume that it has a 1000km range.

 

[ryan]

Pakistan army has inducted Fatah 2 this year. Fatah2, multiple rocket launcher has a range of 400KM. Our Forces are still planning for 200KM version which they will induct after 15 years.

That range is "On Paper" & not actual. Coronastanis have a history of unusually exaggerating their platform's capabiilities. PL 15 being the most recent example & BTW to tackle that range IA has a range of Missiles. The extension of Pinaka's range is just a matter of time as the entire ecosystem is indigenous.