[Watch] DRDO Tests Pinaka Extended Range Rocket From Two States, Including Odisha’s Balasore

Bhubaneswar: Trials of the Pinaka extended range rocket, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), were carried out in firing ranges of Odisha’s Balasore and Rajasthan’s Pokhran in the past few weeks.

According to sources, more than 120 rockets were test-fired by the army to validate all technical requirements. The munitions manufactured by the Nagpur-based Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) met all requirements.

The enhanced Pinakas have a range of over 45 km, up from legacy rockets that can strike targets at a range of 37 km, said sources. The rockets made by the Munitions India Limited (MIL) also passed the trials.

The trials were conducted in the presence of army and DRDO officials. These rockets are likely to replace imports from Russia and could be offered for exports to friendly nations gradually.

“The project showcases that the private sector can deliver when it comes to the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. This has been possible with the continuous guidance of DRDO and hand-holding by the army,” Satyanarayan Nuwal, EEL Chairman, told ET.

It is pertinent to mention here that the test-firing of the Pinaka MK-1 Enhanced Rocket System (EPRS) and the Pinaka Area Denial Munition Rocket Systems (ADM) was successfully conducted in April wherein a total of 24 EPRD rockets were fired.

Likewise, DRDO successfully conducted the trials for the extended range versions of the Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha’s Balasore in 2021.

This is the first time that rockets produced by the private sector have been accepted for service since defence manufacturing was opened to the private sector.