DRDO successfully test-fires indigenous Pinaka rocket, 122mm Caliber rocket systems

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test-fired enhanced range versions of its indigenously developed Pinaka rocket system and 122mm Caliber rocket system from a Mult-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on June 24 and 25, 2021 at the Chandipur’s Integrated Test Range in Odisha, informed the Defence Ministry.

Both, the Pinaka and 122mm Caliber rocket systems have been developed jointly by Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) with manufacturing support from M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur.

Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Ministry congratulated DRDO on the successful launch of Pinaka 122mm Caliber rocket systems.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D applauded the efforts of the team involved in the development and trials of the Pinaka and 122mm Caliber rocket systems.

DRDO successfully test fires Enhanced Pinaka Rocket https://t.co/JyTwd25d61 pic.twitter.com/oU4fBgOSsh

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) June 25, 2021

DRDO successfully test fires Enhanced Range 122mm Caliber Rocket https://t.co/svm840qp01

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) June 25, 2021

DRDO test-fires Pinaka rocket system: Key points

• Twenty-five enhanced range versions of Pinaka rockets were test-fired on June 24 and June 25, 2021, at Chandipur’s Integrated Test Range in Odisha. All the flight articles successfully achieved the mission objectives.

• These enhanced systems of Pinaka rockets can destroy targets up to 45 km.

• Range instruments, including Telemetry, Radar and Electro-Optical Tracking System deployed by ITR and Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) were used to track the accuracy of target achieved by the flight articles.

• The Pinaka rocket system was developed to achieve longer-range performance.

DRDO test-fires 122 mm Caliber rocket system: Key points

• Four enhanced versions of 122 mm Caliber rockets were successfully test-fired from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) at Chandipur’s Integrated Test Range in Odisha on June 25, 2021.

• All the flight articles test-fired with full instrumentation successfully achieved the mission objectives.

• Range instruments, including Telemetry, Radar and Electro-Optical Tracking System deployed by ITR and Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) tracked all the flight articles that were test-fired.

• These 122mm Caliber rocket systems have been specifically developed for Army applications.

• These enhanced 122mm Caliber rocket systems will replace the existing 122mm Grad rockets and can destroy targets up to 40 km.