Will Solar Explosives' Guided Rocket System Revolutionize Indian Artillery? Army Approval Pending

Nagpur-based Solar Explosives, a leading private player in the Indian defence sector, is set to bolster the nation's indigenous missile program with two ambitious long-range rocket systems. The company awaits approval from the Indian Army to proceed with these projects, which could significantly expand India's missile capabilities.

In a bold move, Solar Explosives has independently funded the development of these missile systems, underscoring its commitment to enhancing India's defence capabilities. This initiative positions the company as a potential key player in the domestic missile industry.

However, the proposals have faced a roadblock as the Indian Army has also requested the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop an extended-range Pinaka III system with capabilities similar to those proposed by Solar Explosives.

The first proposal submitted by Solar Explosives in 2022 outlines a Guided Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launch (MBRL) system with a range of 130-150km. This enhanced system offers a substantial improvement over the existing Pinaka system, extending its reach and potentially incorporating guidance capabilities for increased precision.

Furthermore, Solar Explosives has proposed a new 250km range cruise missile, designed as a cost-effective alternative to the existing BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The proposed cruise missile would not include seeker technology, a component crucial for terminal guidance, but would likely retain some level of guidance capability. This design choice aims to reduce the missile's cost significantly, with Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal estimating a price tag of only ₹8 crores compared to the BrahMos' reported ₹40 crores.

If approved, these proposals from Solar Explosives could significantly propel India's domestic missile development program. The company's innovative approach and willingness to invest its resources may pave the way for a more robust and cost-effective indigenous missile industry.

 

[Ajath Shri]

It would be prudent on the part of IA to go for the Rocket offered by M/s Solar Industries if their rockets meet the requirement. DRDO can also come up with their products. May the best product win.

 

[Sridhar]

It would be prudent on the part of IA to go for the Rocket offered by M/s Solar Industries if their rockets meet the requirement. DRDO can also come up with their products. May the best product win.

Totally agree with you. Need of the hour Army with adequate firepower combined with superb mobility.

 

[sanket]

Good to see Pvt companies are too Interested in R&D ,not only Screw Driver Tech.some pvt players throw there hat only in Copy paste work with secure profit. Congrates Solar Ind for developing Long Range Rocket system .

 

[Manoj Kumar]

Why Indian Army didn't approved it yet.

 

[beencensured]

Good to see Pvt companies are too Interested in R&D ,not only Screw Driver Tech.some pvt players throw there hat only in Copy paste work with secure profit. Congrates Solar Ind for developing Long Range Rocket system .

Solar industries also made some good drones. They should be encouraged, and products should be funded and more importantly tested. If they have product then testing it is very important. This must be done ASAP as the enemy is not waiting for India to get weapons and Pakistan already from China has recieved 400 km range rocket launcher Fatah II

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Why our think thanks and IA planners didn't plan for MLRS similar to HIMARS. Along with Bramhos, we need cheaper rockets to saturate enemy air defence. Cost of 8 crores is also high.

 

[Akshat]

Why Indian Army didn't approved it yet.

Unlike DRDO, private companies want their products to sell. Army is their primary customer. So they would want to make sure that the product they are making has some traction and meets the army's needs.

So what they would want from the army is a confirmation that such a product is required by them and what are the exact specs. Say, in the case of ATAGS, Army had a strict requirement of 16 tons but DRDO went ahead with 18 tons and now Army has to reduce it's requirements and has to buy new trucks as well. This won't be done for a private sector product. They would also need a rough estimate of demand to see if the product development is viable or not. They can't sell it at 2 or 3 times like DPSUs and DRDO do.

And finally, they would also need to know what is the mode Army wants to purchase it via. Say, in the light tank development, DRDO has received a guarantee of some orders while the rest will be open competition. This will tilt the competition in favor of DRDO.

So Solar would need clarity on these factors before proceeding.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

It would be wise to have a coordinated effort for the Pvt sector as well as the end user.

 

[Sandeep]

Why Indian Army didn't approved it yet.

The army has to look at everything in detail. The amount of indigenous content, parts and technology used, amount of foreign content or parts if any, propulsion engine, navigation and guidance, type of seeker, manufacturing companies involved, scientists involved in developing it and if they are not spies, price per missile, type of launch vehicle, type of canisters used, spares, services, maintenance, type of materials used in the missile, missile fuel, warhead size and type of explosive materials used etc etc. There is a lot that they need to look into before coming to a decision.

 

[Sandeep]

The DRDO and solar explosives were or have partnered and are currently developing a longer range rocket for the MBRL Pinaka that can reach the range of around 150km and in future increase that upto 300+km. We are also developing different types of warheads based on the type of threat they might face like armoured vehicles, troops, area denial, variants of cluster bombs or shrapnel discharged. Currently China have a longer range MBRL than us so we definitely need DRDO and solar explosives to quickly develop a indigenous MBRL that is on par with them but also develop a better MBRL than them with a longer range rocket that can outdo them and give our military a advantage over them.

 

[Chand Ashok]

It would be prudent on the part of IA to go for the Rocket offered by M/s Solar Industries if their rockets meet the requirement. DRDO can also come up with their products. May the best product win.

India needs to promote domestic private players like Solar industries, Garuda Aerospace, Mahindra, L&T, Kalyani etc to develop them into Giant defense vendors on lines of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, General Atomics etc. DRDO can transform profile towards Product design & development and R&D institution in the longer run.