DRDO Unveils New 120 km Pinaka Rocket Variant, Extends Strike Capabilities

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing its Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system with the development of a new high-calibre rocket boasting a 120 km range. Unveiled at Aero India 2025, this enhanced version is designed to provide the Indian Armed Forces with extended-range firepower, further strengthening India's long-range artillery strike capabilities.

A More Powerful Pinaka: Key Upgrades and Features

The new Pinaka variant, expected to undergo its first test in October 2025, is a significant upgrade over existing models. While DRDO has not disclosed the exact calibre, it is believed to be comparable to the 300 mm Russian Smerch rockets, currently in service with the Indian Army.

The upgraded 120 km Pinaka rocket will:

• Be fired from the existing Pinaka MBRL system with a modified pod to accommodate its larger size.
• Retain the fin-stabilized, solid-propellant, guided and unguided capabilities of the 214 mm Pinaka family.
• Provide longer-range firepower, improving India's strike efficiency and battlefield reach.

Expanding the Pinaka Family: Future Variants in Development

Alongside the 120 km variant, DRDO is also working on:

• A 200+ km range Pinaka to further enhance India's long-range precision strike capability.
• A naval version of the Pinaka rocket, optimized for submarine countermeasures and underwater warfare, with a 75 km range and trials scheduled this year.
• Air-launched Pinaka systems, being considered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a cost-effective alternative to the Pralay missile. If developed, these could be fitted on Su-30MKI aircraft, enabling surface-to-surface and air-to-surface operations.

Strengthening India’s Artillery and Missile Systems

With these new variants, Pinaka will evolve beyond traditional ground-based rocket artillery to become a multi-domain strike system, adaptable for land, sea, and air operations. The Indian Army has already approved the 120 km and 200+ km variants, ensuring that future regiments are equipped with state-of-the-art, long-range firepower.

By expanding the Pinaka family, DRDO is reinforcing India’s self-reliance in advanced artillery systems, further reducing dependency on foreign imports while strengthening the country's defence capabilities against evolving threats.