Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher
| Pinaka | |
|---|---|
Pinaka MBRL truck
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| Type | Rocket artillery |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Indian Army |
| Wars | Kargil war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | DRDO |
| Designed | 1986 |
| Manufacturer |
Tata Power SED Larsen & Toubro Ordnance Factories Board |
| Unit cost | $ 0.58 million |
| Produced | 1998 - Present |
| Variants | 40 km (25 mi) Mk-I 65 km (40 mi) Mk-II 120 km (75 mi) (In Development) |
| Specifications | |
| Caliber | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Barrels | 12 |
| Rate of fire | Rockets - 12 in < 44 s |
| Maximum firing range | 65 km (40 mi) |
| Warhead weight | up to 250 kg (550 lb) |
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| Engine | Diesel |
| Speed | Launcher: 80 km/h (50 mph) |
Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 40 km for Mark-I and 65 km for Mark-II, and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralising enemy positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.
As of 2014, about 5,000 missiles are being produced every year while an advanced variant is under development with enhanced range and accuracy.
The Indian Army operates the Russian BM-21 'Grad' Launchers. In 1981, in response to the Indian Army's need for a long range artillery system, the Indian Ministry of Defence sanctioned two confidence building projects. In July 1983, the Army formulated their General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for the system, with planned induction of one Regiment per year from 1994 onwards. This system would eventually replace the Grads.
Development began in December 1986, with a sanctioned budget of ₹ 26.47 crore. The development was to be completed in December 1992. Armament Research and Development Establishment, a Pune-based DRDO laboratory, led the development of the system.
Pinaka is a complete MBRL system, each Pinaka battery consists of: six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets; six loader-replenishment vehicles; three replenishment vehicles; two Command Post vehicle (one stand by) with a Fire Control computer, and the DIGICORA MET radar. A battery of six launchers can neutralise an area of 1,000 m × 800 m.
The Army generally deploys a battery that has a total of 72 rockets. All the 72 rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, taking out an area of 1 km2. Each launcher can fire in a different direction too. The system has the flexibility to fire all the rockets in one go or only a few.
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Wikipedia