Over the last three days, a series of successful tests of the enhanced range Pinaka rocket launcher system were conducted at the Pokhran range

In an official statement, the Ministry of Defence said, "The DRDO, along with the Army, conducted a series of performance evaluation trials. In these trials, enhanced range Pinaka rockets were test-fired at different ranges with various warhead capabilities. All the trial objectives were met satisfactorily. 24 rockets were fired for different ranges and warhead capabilities to meet the objectives of accuracy and consistency."

With this, the initial phase of technology absorption of the Pinaka-ER (Enhanced Range) by the industry partner has successfully been completed, making the upgraded rocket system ready for production, the ministry added.

What Is Pinaka-ER?

The Pinaka-ER is the upgraded version of the earlier Pinaka, which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been designed in light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies. The extended range of the new Pinaka is over 70 km, as opposed to the 45 km the system currently has.
Pinaka is an all-weather, artillery multi-barrel rocket system. It can fire 72 rockets in 44 seconds. It delivers lethal and responsive fire against a variety of area targets such as exposed enemy troops, armoured and soft skin vehicles, communication centres, air terminal complexes, fuel and ammunition dumps.

The Pinaka gives a deep strike option to the forces on the ground and is capable of hitting critical military installations.

The Pinaka rocket system was recently deployed at the China border amid tensions that began in Ladakh in May last year.

The system was jointly designed by laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

The Area Denial Munition (ADM) variants designed by ARDE and manufactured by industry partners under technology transfer were successfully carried out at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges. These trials are part of performance evaluation under technology absorption.

The indigenously-developed proximity fuses for Pinaka rockets have also been tested.