Pinaka Rocket Systems
Context
-
Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems have been successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army at Pokhran Firing Ranges.
About Pinaka rocket system
- The Pinaka rocket system, named after Lord Shiva’s bow, has been developed by Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
- As part of the same set of trials, the Area Denial Munition (ADM), designed by the ARDE for Pinaka and manufactured by the industry partners under technology transfer, were also successfully tested.
- ADMs are a category of ammunition used to prohibit the adversary from occupying or passing through a particular area.
- The tests also validated the performance of different variants of munitions and fuzes that can be used in the Pinaka rocket system.
- The EPRS is the upgraded version of Pinaka variant which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade.
- The system has been upgraded with advanced technologies enhancing the range to meet the emerging requirements.
- After establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka, the technology was transferred to the industries viz. Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited Nagpur.
- Rockets manufactured by MIL under Transfer of Technology from DRDO were flight tested during this campaign.
- Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully test evaluated in the Pokhran Field Firing Range.
Back to basics
About Pinaka Missile System
- The development of the Pinaka, which is a multi-barrel rocket system, was started by the DRDO in the late 1980s as an alternative to the Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher systems of Russian make called the ‘Grad’, which are still in use by some regiments.
- After successful tests of Pinaka Mark-1 in late 1990, it was first used in the battlefield during the Kargil war of 1999, quite successfully.
- Subsequently, multiple regiments of the system came up in the 2000s. While the Mark-1 has a range of 38 km, the enhanced version of Mark-1 tested in the last fortnight has a range of 45 km with some key additional features.
- DRDO has also developed and successfully tested the Pinaka Mk-II, which has a range of 60 km, and the Guided Pinaka system, which has a range of 75 km.
- It has integrated navigation, control and guidance systems to improve the end accuracy and enhance range. The navigation system of Guided Pinaka missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
Reference:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1816139
Visit Abhiyan PEDIA (One of the Most Followed / Recommended) for UPSC Revisions: Click Here
IAS Abhiyan is now on Telegram: Click on the Below link to Join our Channels to stay Updated
IAS Abhiyan Official: Click Here to Join
For UPSC Mains Value Edition (Facts, Quotes, Best Practices, Case Studies): Click Here to Join