The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has publicly revealed a new, longer-range version of its Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system, significantly boosting India's artillery capabilities.
The Pinaka III, showcased at a recent defence exhibition in Hyderabad, boasts an impressive 120-kilometer range, a substantial improvement over earlier versions.
The Pinaka III was displayed alongside older Pinaka variants. The new rocket's visibly larger size indicates a diameter of 300mm, a considerable increase from the 214mm caliber of its predecessors, like the Pinaka Mk-I (40 km range), Mk-II (60-90 km), and Guided Pinaka (75-90 km). This difference in size allows for a larger amount of propellant to be stored.
The increase in diameter is crucial for achieving the extended range. A 300mm rocket, similar in size to Russia's Smerch MBRL (currently used by the Indian Army with a 90km range), can accommodate a larger propellant load and more sophisticated guidance systems.
These enhancements are essential for the Pinaka III to reach its stated 120-kilometer range with precision. The smaller 214mm rockets, even with guidance, are limited to a maximum range of approximately 90 kilometers.
The development of the Pinaka III is a direct response to the evolving security landscape in the region. China has deployed 300mm PHL-03 launchers near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with a range of 70-130 km, and Pakistan possesses over 450 A-100 systems capable of reaching 120 km.
The need of longer range artillery system lead to Indian Army's 2021 approval of new Pinaka variants. The Pinaka III, with its 120 km reach, not only surpasses the Smerch's range but also provides a domestically produced, cost-effective alternative to imported artillery systems.
The DRDO's ambitions extend beyond the Pinaka III. A longer-range variant, reportedly capable of striking targets 200-300 kilometers away, is also under development. This would place the Pinaka system in a category similar to short-range ballistic missiles, comparable to systems like China's PHL-16.
The current Pinaka III, with its 120km range and an anticipated larger warhead (estimated at 250 kg compared to the Mk-I's 100 kg), provides a versatile strike capability, suitable for both widespread area attacks and precision strikes.
The Pinaka system is a mobile, multi-barrel rocket launcher designed to provide rapid and intense firepower against enemy positions. The original Pinaka system entered service with the Indian Army in the late 1990s. The development of the Pinaka III represents a continuing effort by India to modernize its military and enhance its indigenous defense production capabilities.
