DRDO Successfully Completes Trials of 90-km Guided Pinaka, Indian Army Set to Place Major Order

In a major boost to India’s indigenous artillery capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed trials of the extended-range Guided Pinaka rocket system with a strike capability ranging between 75 to 90 kilometers. The announcement was made by DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat, who confirmed that the Indian Army is expected to place a formal order for these next-generation rockets soon.

The trials mark a significant milestone in the evolution of the Pinaka rocket artillery system, which was originally designed as a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) to replace the Russian-origin BM-21 Grad systems. The latest guided variant, known as the Extended Range Guided Pinaka (ER-GP), comes equipped with an advanced navigation and control system that enables precision strikes at long distances — a vital capability in modern battlefield scenarios.

A Leap in Strike Capability

The original unguided Pinaka Mark-I had a maximum range of 40 km. This was later improved with the development of the Mark-I Enhanced version, which extended the range to around 45–60 km. However, the newly tested guided version nearly doubles this range, reaching up to 90 kilometers — thus providing the Indian Army with a formidable deep-strike option for targeting enemy command posts, logistics hubs, and troop concentrations well inside adversary territory.

The trials, conducted at the Pokhran and Balasore test ranges over multiple stages, demonstrated the rocket’s accuracy and stability under a variety of operational conditions. According to DRDO, the weapon system showed “high precision, consistent terminal performance, and robust reliability,” a critical requirement for deployment in sensitive border regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Technical Advancements

The Guided Pinaka ER has been developed by the DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and the Pune-based private sector partner firms like Solar Industries and Economic Explosives Ltd.

Key enhancements include:

• Inertial Navigation System (INS) with satellite-based correction (GPS/IRNSS), giving Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under 20 meters.

• Improved rocket motor and aerodynamic structure to reduce drag and enhance range.

• Warhead options including high-explosive fragmentation, anti-tank bomblets, and submunition payloads for different operational scenarios.

Each Pinaka regiment comprises 18 launchers with 3 rockets per launcher, capable of firing a full salvo in 44 seconds, saturating a target area of approximately 1 square kilometer. The integration of guided rockets significantly amplifies this firepower with pinpoint accuracy, thereby reducing ammunition wastage and collateral damage.

Army Induction and Strategic Importance

The Indian Army currently operates multiple Pinaka regiments and had previously ordered 6 additional regiments worth over ₹2,580 crore in 2020. With the success of these new trials, defense officials indicate that procurement of the guided 90-km variant is imminent. This would make the Pinaka system not only more lethal but also versatile, fitting the Indian military’s doctrinal emphasis on “precision strike and rapid maneuver” in a two-front war scenario.

Importantly, this comes at a time when India is increasing its focus on self-reliant defense production under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The DRDO chief reiterated that the Guided Pinaka system is a prime example of indigenous innovation meeting world-class standards and said the Army’s forthcoming induction will be a “transformational step” in India’s long-range artillery modernization.

With its extended range, high accuracy, and all-weather capability, the Guided Pinaka rocket system will not only bolster India's tactical firepower but also provide a critical deterrent in contested border zones. As the Indian Army prepares to integrate these into its arsenal, it marks yet another chapter in the steady indigenization and modernization of India’s defense forces.