POKHRAN, Rajasthan — March 18, 2026 : Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited, a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited, has successfully conducted the maiden proof trials of production batches of the Pinaka Extended Range (ER) rocket system at the Pokhran Field Firing Range.
The trials involved the flight testing of 24 rockets drawn from two separate production lots. The evaluation focused on key operational parameters, including accuracy, consistency of flight performance, and target effectiveness under field conditions. According to the company, all rockets met the required specifications and performed within prescribed standards.
This marks the first instance of an Indian private-sector company carrying out proof trials for production lots of the Pinaka rocket system, a process historically undertaken by government-run defence manufacturing entities.
System Overview and Capabilities
The Pinaka ER is a 214 mm unguided artillery rocket developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is an extended-range variant of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, increasing the strike range from approximately 37 km (Mk-I) to around 75 km.
The rocket is compatible with existing Pinaka launch platforms, which are capable of firing 12 rockets in a single salvo. The system is designed to provide area-saturation fire support and is deployed with Indian Army artillery regiments for engaging large-area and deep targets.
Production and Contracts
Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited, based in Nagpur, is among the designated production agencies for the Pinaka system under technology transfer from DRDO. The company manufactures multiple variants of the rocket, including Area Denial Munition (ADM) and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) versions.
Solar Industries India Limited previously secured a contract valued at approximately ₹6,084 crore for the supply of Pinaka rockets to the Indian Army. In addition to domestic production, the company has also initiated exports of guided Pinaka rocket systems to Armenia.
Role of Proof Trials
The proof trials are part of the standard certification process required before induction of production batches into service. These trials verify that rockets manufactured in series production meet the quality, safety, and performance benchmarks established by DRDO and the Indian Army.
Successful completion of the trials confirms the readiness of the tested batches for operational deployment.
Industrial and Strategic Significance
The development reflects a broader shift in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, with increased participation from the private sector in the production of critical military systems. It also supports ongoing efforts to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on single-source suppliers.
Solar Defence stated that the successful trials validate its manufacturing processes and quality assurance systems for the Pinaka ER programme. The company is expanding production capacity at its facilities to meet both domestic requirements and export demand.
Further user evaluations and additional production clearances for subsequent Pinaka ER batches are expected as part of the induction process.
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