Big tension for Pakistan and China, DRDO set to test its most dangerous rocket launcher, can accurately hit targets up to…, capable of destruction in just 44 seconds, name is…
Big tension for Pakistan and China, DRDO set to test its most dangerous rocket launcher, can accurately hit targets up to..., capable of destruction in just 44 seconds, name is...
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new and more powerful guided rocket system called Pinaka MkIII to boost the country's artillery strength. This advanced rocket can accurately hit targets up to 120 kilometers away, and test trials are expected to begin soon. Once deployed, this system is likely to be a major game-changer for the Indian Army, especially as a counter to long-range weapons used by neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. What is Pinaka MkIII?
Pinaka MkIII is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system, developed by DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, in collaboration with other research labs. It is the most advanced version in the Pinaka family, improving significantly over the earlier variants i.e. MkI (40 km range), MkII (60–90 km), and Guided Pinaka (75–90 km). Key features: Pinaka MkIII can strike targets up to 120 kilometers away. It carries a 250 kg warhead, powerful enough to destroy enemy command centers, bunkers, and supply hubs.
The rocket has a 300 mm diameter, which is larger than the older 214 mm version. This allows for more fuel and advanced guidance systems, increasing its reach and performance.
The system uses a high-tech Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) kit developed by DRDO's RCI (Research Centre Imarat). This includes laser-gyro navigation and microstrip antennas, giving it a high precision of less than 10 meters Circular Error Probability (CEP). In comparison, the older MkI had a CEP of about 500 meters.
Pinaka MkIII can be fired from existing Pinaka launchers, which helps reduce extra costs. Each launcher can carry 8 guided rockets, capable of devastating a 700×500 meter area in just 44 seconds.
The pre-production units of the Pinaka MkIII rocket system have been developed by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Ltd. Very soon, both development and user trials of the system will begin.
These trials will include: Rockets made by EEL and Munitions India Limited (MIL) will be launched from two advanced Pinaka launchers.
Performance checks: These tests will assess important parameters like range, accuracy, stability, and rate of fire in salvo mode.
Command-and-control system integration: The system will also be tested for how well it works with existing battle command systems under simulated combat conditions.
These trials follow the successful tests of the Guided Pinaka held in November 2024, where it showed an impressive range of over 75 km and a precision of less than 10 meters. This track record is expected to fast-track the MkIII's official induction into the Indian Army. Strategic Importance of Pinaka MkIII
The development of the Pinaka MkIII comes at a crucial time. Here's why it holds significant strategic value:
China's PHL-03 (range: 70–130 km) and Pakistan's A-100 (range: up to 120 km) long-range rocket systems pushed India to enhance its own capabilities. In 2021, the Indian Army approved both 120 km and 300 km range variants of the Pinaka system to match and deter these threats.
Pinaka MkIII's precision-guided navigation system makes it especially valuable in mountainous regions like Ladakh and Kargil, where it can target enemy bunkers and command posts with high accuracy despite difficult terrain.
Thanks to its indigenous design and compatibility with existing launchers, Pinaka MkIII is logistically simple and economically efficient. It reduces dependency on foreign systems and cuts down the cost of maintenance and upgrades.
DRDO is already working on next-generation Pinaka versions with ranges of 200 to 300 kilometers, which could eventually place the system in the category of short-range ballistic missiles. This future development would significantly boost India's deep-strike capabilities.
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