RCI Hyderabad has issued a tender for the fabrication of five sets of 370 mm Extended Long Range Guided Rocket (ELRGR) motor systems, marking a major step in DRDO’s effort to extend the range and precision of India’s rocket artillery beyond current Pinaka variants.

A Alpha Defense report stated that, the tender specifies advanced processes including flow forming, machining, welding of 11-10 PH steel, and proof pressure testing, with a delivery timeline of six months on a FOR RCI basis.

The Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad has floated this tender under the Department of Defence Research and Development. The requirement is for five complete sets of rocket motor systems of 370 mm calibre, which are part of the ELRGR line.

This line represents DRDO’s push to extend the reach of precision-guided rockets well beyond the existing Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, which currently achieves ranges of up to 120 kilometres.

The fabrication scope includes flow forming of rocket motor cases, precision machining, welding using 11-10 PH steel, and proof pressure testing to validate structural integrity. These processes are critical to ensuring the rocket motors can withstand extreme pressures and temperatures during launch and sustained flight.

The tender mandates delivery within six months, with the supply terms defined as FOR RCI, Hyderabad, ensuring direct delivery to the facility.

The ELRGR program is a natural progression from the Pinaka LRGR, which has already demonstrated precision strikes at ranges between 60 and 120 kilometres.

The 370 mm calibre indicates a larger rocket motor design, intended to achieve significantly extended ranges, potentially in the 150 to 200 kilometre class. This would place India’s rocket artillery capability closer to systems like the US Army’s Guided MLRS and Russia’s Tornado-S, both of which are capable of long-range precision strikes.

The tender reflects DRDO’s strategy of involving Indian industry in advanced defence manufacturing. By specifying processes such as flow forming and welding of specialised steels, RCI is signalling the need for high-end industrial capability within India’s defence ecosystem. This aligns with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which emphasises indigenous development and production of advanced weapon systems.

Operationally, the ELRGR is expected to provide the Indian Army with the ability to engage high-value targets deep inside adversary territory with precision, reducing reliance on imported systems.

The larger calibre and extended range will allow the rockets to carry heavier warheads, including high explosive pre-fragmented, penetration cum blast, thermobaric, and cluster munitions, thereby enhancing battlefield versatility.

The timeline of six months for delivery suggests that the ELRGR program is already at an advanced stage of development, with prototypes and initial trials likely underway. The fabrication of rocket motor systems is a crucial step towards full-scale testing and eventual induction into service.

Evolution of the PINAKA Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher System
Variant Calibre Range Guidance Launcher load
PINAKA MK-I 214 mm 37.5–38 km Unguided, free-flight rocket; spin-stabilised
12 rockets per launcher
2 pods × 6 rockets
PINAKA MK-I Enhanced 214 mm Up to 45 km Unguided, free-flight rocket with improved propulsion, aerodynamics and ignition system
12 rockets per launcher
2 pods × 6 rockets
PINAKA MK-II 214 mm Up to 60 km Unguided, free-flight rocket; improved motor and aerodynamic configuration
12 rockets per launcher
2 pods × 6 rockets
Guided PINAKA
(Guided MK-II-derived rocket)
 214 mm Up to 75 km Navigation, guidance and control kit; inertial navigation with IRNSS/NavIC-aided satellite navigation and trajectory correction
8 guided rockets per launcher
2 pods × 4 rockets
PINAKA-LR Guided Rocket 120
(often referred to as PINAKA MK-III in Secondary Reporting)
Approximately 214 mm
reported figure
 Up to 120 km Guided rocket with in-flight manoeuvring and precision navigation/control; detailed configuration not publicly disclosed Not officially disclosed; successfully launched from the in-service PINAKA launcher
Future 300-km PINAKA concept
(Developmental Proposal)
Likely approximately 300 mm
not officially confirmed
Approximately 300 km
planned objective
 Expected to be guided; final guidance architecture has not been publicly released Not publicly disclosed

Once operational, the ELRGR will complement the Pinaka system, offering a scalable family of rockets with ranges from 40 kilometres in the baseline variant to potentially 200 kilometres in the extended long-range version.

This development underscores India’s determination to achieve self-reliance in advanced rocket artillery. It also enhances deterrence by providing the Armed Forces with a cost-effective, indigenous solution for long-range precision strikes.

The ELRGR program, once realised, will significantly strengthen India’s artillery modernisation drive and reinforce its strategic capabilities.

Agencies