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Trials of Extended Range Pinaka launchers conclude, rockets to be inducted soon

Trials of Extended Range Pinaka launchers conclude, rockets to be inducted soon

India Today2 days ago
A new and more powerful version of the indigenous Pinaka rocket launchers is all set to further boost the Indian Army's attack capabilities after it has completed user trials. The Extended Range Pinaka underwent a successful final test before being commissioned into the Army.Earlier, the Army relied on Russian multi-barrel rocket launchers such as 'Grad' and 'Smerch', but its attack capabilities strengthened tremendously after the incorporation of the indigenous Pinaka, a new and more powerful version of which is now ready.advertisementCurrently, the Pinaka rocket has a range of 37 kilometres, which has now been extended to about 75 kilometres, making it a versatile weapon for long-range attacks.
The rockets were earlier used as area weapons, but with enhanced range and accuracy the extended-range guided Pinaka is now equipped with GPS navigation. That is, once set, it hits its target with utmost precision. The rocket can strike within a radius of about 25 metres of the target, which makes it extremely lethal.The trajectories and targets of the rockets are programmed before launch. If, for some reason, it deviates from its set direction, the onboard computer and GPS work in tandem to bring it back to the correct trajectory.It also has an inertial navigation system (INS), which takes the rocket to the target even when GPS is jammed or interrupted. A battery of the current Pinaka can devastate an enemy's territory of 10,00,800 metres if fired together. That is only set to improve with the induction of the new Pinaka.The Army plans to induct a total of 25 Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers. There are six launchers in one battery and each launcher has 12 tubes. That means a total of 72 rockets in one battery. All of these can be fired in 44 seconds. Soon after the launch, launchers change their location and get ready again.Recently, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets have also been procured for the Pinaka MLRS.At present, the Indian Army has four Pinaka regiments commissioned. The aim is to increase it to 10 regiments.Instead of creating new regiments, the existing 120 mm mortar light regiments are being converted into Pinaka regiments.Last year two light regiments were changed and this year two more are scheduled to follow. The army will have a total of 10 Pinaka regiments in the next two years.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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