DRDO successfully tests Pinaka long-range guided rocket at 60 km range

New Delhi- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully conducted the flight test of the Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, marking another significant milestone in India's indigenous defence programme.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km and successfully executed all planned in-flight manoeuvres before striking its designated target with pinpoint accuracy. The flight followed the predicted trajectory precisely, while range instrumentation continuously tracked the rocket throughout the mission.

The Pinaka LRGR has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), with support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI). The trial was coordinated by the Integrated Test Range and the Proof & Experimental Establishment.

Advertisement

The rocket was launched using the Indian Army's in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating the platform's ability to fire different variants of the Pinaka rocket system with varying ranges from the same launcher.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Army and industry partners on the successful test, calling it a major achievement for India's indigenous long-range guided rocket development programme.

Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, who closely monitored the trial, also commended the scientists, engineers and all teams involved in the successful flight test.

The latest trial builds on the successful maiden test conducted in December last year, when the Pinaka LRGR-120 was flight-tested for its maximum range of 120 km. That test also achieved all mission objectives, with the rocket accurately hitting its target after completing the planned flight profile.

The Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rockets are designed for deployment from the Pinaka Multiple Launcher Rocket System (MLRS), an indigenously developed long-range artillery platform that significantly enhances the Indian Army's precision strike capability and rapid battlefield response.

With inputs from IANS