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On Friday, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) confirmed that it has successfully test-fired enhanced range versions of indigenously developed Pinaka rockets along with 122mm Caliber rockets from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off coast of Odhisha.
As per reports, on Thursday and Friday Twenty five enhanced Pinaka rockets were initiated in a quick succession set against different range of targets. Every desired objectives were met during the launches. In a statement, Ministry of Defence asserted that the enhanced range version of the Pinaka Rocket System posses the capability to destroy targets at a distance up to 45km.
PTI notified an official who expressed that the development of enhanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance. The official further stated that all the flight articles were tracked with the help of various range instruments to ensure the accuracy of the rockets hitting the target.
Following the Pinaka rockets, four enhanced range version of 122mm Caliber rockets established for the Indian Army which is capable to destroy targets around 40km were also test fired with full instrumentations. These rockets too met their desired objectives. As far as the reports are concerned, this enhanced rocket system would replace the existing 122 mm Grad rockets.
On the successful launch of the enhanced Pinaka rockets and 122mm Caliber rockets, Rajnath Singh, Defense minister congratulated DRDO and the industry.
The Rocket system has been established by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) along with the manufacturing support from M/s Economic Explosive Limited in Nagpur.