Defence Ministry Greenlights Procurement of 6,400 Rockets, Enhancing Army's Pinaka MBRL Capability

In a significant boost to the Indian Army, the Defence Ministry has given the green light to a Rs 2,800 crore initiative to acquire approximately 6,400 rockets intended for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems.

Sources within the Defence Ministry's Defence Acquisition Council told ANI that the recent council meeting sanctioned the procurement of two variants of rockets, Area Denial Munition Type 2 and Type-3.

The Indian Army will source the rockets from domestic suppliers. The primary contenders for this contract are Economic Explosives Limited of Solar Industries and Munitions India Limited, the latter being one of the ammunition-producing companies formed through the corporatisation of the former Ordnance Factories, sources informed the news agency.

Developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune and supported by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, another Pune-based laboratory of DRDO, it is named after the bow of Hindu god Shiva.

The military equipment, including the Pinaka system, stands as one of the initial Indian defense technologies exported to international destinations, with Armenia being among the recipient nations.

Leading private sector entities, such as Larsen & Toubro, Tata Defence, and Economic Explosives Limited, are actively engaged in the project. They have established production lines for the Pinaka system, ensuring a substantial supply to the armed forces.

As a crucial component of broader artillery modernization initiatives, the Indian Army aims to fulfill the demand for 22 regiments equipped with the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL).

Pinaka regiments within the Indian Army boast launchers featuring automated gun aiming and positioning systems, along with dedicated command posts.

Recent trials of the Pinaka rockets have taken place in the Pokharan firing ranges in Rajasthan, where multiple successful test firings have demonstrated the system's effectiveness and reliability.