Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher

Pinaka () is a multiple launch rocket system produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.

In April 2013, was sanctioned for increasing the production capacity of Pinaka rockets from then 1,000 to 5,000 per year. Unutilised land of the Yantra India Limited was also being considered for further capacity expansion when production of advanced variants would commence. The expansion was completed by 2014.

Development

In 1981, in response to the Indian Army's need for a long range artillery system, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) sanctioned two confidence building projects. In July 1983, the Army formulated their General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for the system. The Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) was appointed the System Coordinator for the project. The project included seven other laboratories of the DRDO, such as the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE). Induction was planned at the rate of one Regiment per year from 1994 onwards. This system would eventually replace the BM-21 Grad and BM-30 Smerch of the Indian Army.

Ammunition

Mark 1

Development began in December 1986, with a sanctioned budget of . The development was to be completed in December 1992. As per a report the prototype was rolled out by 1992. The rockets can also be guided by GPS to improve their accuracy. A wraparound microstrip antenna has been developed by DRDO for this system. The system was ordered in February 2008.

To decrease single source dependency from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and increase competition in product pricing front, final developmental trials of Pinaka manufactured fully by Indian private sector Solar Industries under Transfer of Technology agreement from DRDO were successfully conducted by Indian Army at Pokhran Range on 19 August 2020.

As of December 2021, the trials of rockets developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. (subsidiary of Solar Industries Group) and Yantra India Limited-Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) are underway for two variants, Mk-I Enhanced and Mk-I ADM. The order for these variants are to be placed with one or two of the competitors in order to replace the shorter ranged Mk-I variant rockets.

Enhanced

thumb|Pinaka-ER.The Pinaka Enhanced variant, also known as Enhanced Pinaka Rocket System, was developed as an increased range of with a reduced length. The rocket is associated with the upgraded Enhanced Pinaka Rocket System, or Pinaka Extended Range System. The production partner of the rocket is Economic Explosives Ltd. (subsidiary of Solar Industries Group) which received the technology transfer. The first firing trial of the variant was conducted on 4 November 2020 from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. This will also replace the older Mark 1 variant in production.

Guided Pinaka

thumb|Guided Pinaka test on 11 March 2019

The Guided Pinaka rockets is a variant of Mark II and is associated with the Guided Pinaka Weapon System.

As of September 2022, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the procurement proposal of induction of Guided Pinaka variant. The flight frials of Guided Pinaka as part of validation trials were completed in November 2024.

The first batch of Guided Pinaka rockets were flagged off by the Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, for export to the Armenian Ground Forces from the Rocket Assembly area, Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility, Nagpur facility of Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited (SDAL) on 18 January 2026. The Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility was also inaugurated the same day. The fully-automated facility will supply 30 mm ammunition for the Indian Army and Navy. The tender to acquire the variant for the Indian Army was being finalised.

Further development

Mark 2

thumb|Pinaka rockets being fired in salvo mode on 20 December 2019.

Pinaka Mk II is being developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune; Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad; and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. This is the second generation variant of Pinaka MBRL.

LRGR 120

thumb|Pinaka LRGR with 120 km range.

In 2005, ARDE revealed about the development of a long range MRL similar to the Smerch MRLS. A 7.2-metre rocket for the Pinaka MBRL, which can reach a distance of 120 km and carry a 250 kg payload will be developed. These new rockets can be fired in 44 seconds, have a maximum speed of Mach 4.7, rise to an altitude of 40 km before hitting its target at Mach 1.8. Integrating UAVs with the Pinaka is also in the pipeline, as DRDO intends to install guidance systems on these rockets to increase their accuracy.

On 17 January 2024, reports revealed that DRDO is developing two new variants of Pinaka rockets, one with a range of 120 km and the other with a range of over 200 km.

On 24 January 2024, few other reports revealed that the range of the rockets shall be 120 km and 300 km, respectively. The development of new variants have been approved by the Indian Army. While the 120 km rocket is to have the same calibre as of the earlier variants (214 mm), enabling it to be fired from earlier launchers, the Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements of the other variant is being chalked out.

As of February 2025, the developmental trials for 120 km-range rockets are expected to commence within few months. The development process began in 2024, and the first test is scheduled for October 2025. Economic Explosives Limited has developed the LRGR 120 rocket system's pre-production units.

As per reports published in December 2025, the Indian Army has initiated a project to induct 120 km range Pinaka rockets at a cost of . The service had sent a proposal to the defence ministry to be considered by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The rockets would be compatible with in-service Pinaka launchers. The project, referred to as Long Range Guided Rockets, was cleared by the DAC on 29 December.

As per reports published in February 2026, it was reported that DRDO is planning a 450-kilometer range Mk-5 version of Pinaka MBRL, after the 120-kilometer range Mk-3 and 300 km range Mk-4 versions.

Ejectable Rocket Ignition System

For the LRGR 120, ARDE is developing a modular ignition system to increase range, fuel efficiency, and reduce rocket reloading time. In order to lessen the rocket's weight while in flight, it is made to detach from the rocket after launch.

Ramjet propulsion

A group of researchers led by Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar, a professor in the aerospace department at IIT Madras and the former Director General of Artillery for the Indian Army Combat and Combat Support Arms, are developing ramjet propulsion technology that will be incorporated into the Pinaka rockets. It is anticipated that the range of 210–214 mm rocket will increase at 225–250 km with the addition of ramjet propulsion, all the while preserving the operational flexibility of the system.

The development is expected to begin soon as of January 2026. The system will enhance the BM-21 Agnibaan<nowiki/>'s range from to and LRGR-120's range to . The development for BM-21 rockets is expected to span between March 2026 and 2028-end The design will then be transferred to a company for production. This will be followed by development for the Pinaka variant.

Air Force and Navy variants

In February 2025, it was reported that DRDO has commenced development of Pinaka variant for naval and air force applications. The DRDO has already received the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) from the Navy. The naval variant with a range of 75 km is to be flight tested in 2025 and will have underwater applications including submarine countermeasures. The Air Force also intends to operate surface-to-surface variants as a cost-effective alternative to Pralay missile as well as an air-to-surface variant for integration on the Mirage-2000, HAL Tejas and the Su-30MKI.

Testing

thumb|Pinaka MBRL firing

The first tests of the rocket system (Pinaka Mk-I) was conducted in late 1990, around 1995.
On 28 July 2013, successful firing trials of Pinaka Mk-II were conducted in the Chandan area of Pokhran Range, Rajasthan by DRDO and Army personnel. The rockets destroyed the targets in Keru area, 30 km from the point of launch.
On 7 August 2013, tests for two rounds of Pinaka Mk-II fired from the test range of PXE at Chandipur failed to provide desired results.
On 30 May 2014, three rounds of Pinaka Mk-II were successfully fired from the test range of PXE at Chandipur by ARDE. The rockets were launched at a range of 61 km against its then maximum range of 65 km.
On 20 May 2016, two rounds of Pinaka rockets were fired from the test range of PXE at Chandipur at 11:35 pm IST and 01:15 pm IST to validate a new technology in order to incorporate a new guidance system. The objective was to record data from the flights for further analysis which will be used for the future guided Pinaka. The tests were successful. On 23 May 2016, further two Pinaka rockets were successfully fired again from the same range.
On 12 and 24 January 2017, maiden successful trials of the Guided Pinaka was conducted in two phases at range of 65 km and 75 km, respectively, from Launch Complex-III (LC-III), Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The second trial was conducted at 12:45 pm IST.
On 30 May 2018, two rounds of tests of the Guided Pinaka were successfully conducted from the PXE at Chandipur.
On 11 and 12 March 2019, Guided Pinaka rockets were fired twice and once, respectively at the Pokhran Range, Rajasthan. All the trials were successful.
On 19 December 2019, a Guided Pinaka version rocket was tested at a range of 75 km.
On 20 December 2019, two Guided Pinaka variant rockets, with live warheads, were fired in salvo mode at an interval of 60 seconds at low range of 20 km at 11:00 am IST from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The proximity fuse initiation and accuracy at low ranges. A newer Pinaka variant was reported to be flight tested at a range of up to 90 km.
On 19 August 2020, six Pinaka Mk I rockets, manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd. of Solar Group, were tested successfully from Pokhran Range, Rajasthan. This was the first time in India that a munition of this kind was manufactured and tested by a private sector company. On 20 August 2020, trials for Pinaka Guided was carried out for the first time.
On 4 November 2020, a series of 6 Pinaka Mk I Enhanced variant rockets, manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd. of Solar Group, were tested successfully from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The variant is expected to replace the older Mark I variant in production. This time DRDO has decreased the size of the rockets compared to the older generation Mark I.
On 24 June 2021, DRDO successfully fired 25 Pinaka Mk I Enhanced variant at a range of 45 km in quick succession mode as part of saturation attack simulation. The rockets were manufactured by EEL. On 25 June 2021, DRDO successfully test fired 40 km range Enhanced Range 122 mm Caliber Rocket from Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL) which are made to replace the older BM-21 Grad rockets in the Indian Army.
December 2021 trials: A total of 24 rockets of multiple variants were fired at Pokhran Range.
On 8 December 2021, Pinaka Extended Range System, earlier Pinaka Mk I Enhanced, was successfully tested at a range of 45 km. The variant was manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL). The User Assisted Technical Trial (UATT) of Pinaka Mk-II produced by EEL was also completed the same day. Further user trials for Pinaka Mk-II variants produced by both EEL and YIL is to undergo user trials by March 2022.
On 10 December 2021, Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) variant, equipped with Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) was tested. The tests included the rockets manufactured by both Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) and Yantra India Limited (YIL). While both the manufacturers claimed success of the trials, it was confirmed that for the YIL's variant 96.6% of the DPICM exploded surpassing benchmark set at 90%. During these tests, ARDE evaluated locally developed Direct-Action Self Destruction (DASD) and Anti-Tank Munition (ATM) fuses.
In April 2022, a total of 24 Enhanced Pinaka Rocket System (EPRS) along with Pinaka ADM were fired at Pokhran Range for different ranges. The rockets developed by Yantra India Limited-Munitions India Limited (YIL-MIL) were flight tested during the trials.
In the last two weeks of August 2022, user trials of Pinaka Enhanced were conducted from both Pokhran Range and Integrated Test Range, Balasore. Rockets developed by both the manufacturers MIL and EEL successfully passed the trials.
On 14 November 2024, DRDO completed the final Flight Tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon Systems as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) Validation Trials. The tests were conducted in three phases in field firing ranges. The three parameters of PSQR, which are ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire to engage multiple targets in salvo mode was assessed during the trials. A total of 12 rockets from each production agencies, Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL), were tested from two launchers that were upgraded by the launcher manufacturers, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
It was reported on 5 August 2025, that the Pinaka Mk-I Enhanced variant rockets underwent its successful test firing before the commissioning and induction into the Indian Army.
The maiden flight test of LRGR-120, earlier referred to as Pinaka Mk 3 by reports, was conducted on 29 November 2025. The rocket struck the target at a maximum range of 120 km with textbook precision while performing all the in-flight maneuvers planned. The launch was conducted from an in-service launcher.
On 18 March 2026, the maiden proof trials of the Pinaka Extended Range System was undertaken in the Pokhran Field Firing Range. The Solar Industries undertook trials of two production lots, during a total of 24 Pinaka Extended Range Rockets. The rockets were fired at different ranges a varying field conditions to assess their reliability and performance. The maiden proof trials of rockets from production batches indicates the readiness of their induction and operational deployment.

Details

Pinaka is a complete MBRL system, with Pinaka battery consisting of: six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets; six loader-replenishment vehicles; six replenishment vehicles; two Command Post vehicle (one stand by) with a Fire Control computer, and the DIGICORA MET radar (meteorological radar, provides data on winds). A battery of six launchers can neutralise an area of 1,000 m × 800 m. Larsen & Toubro, Solar Industries, Munitions India Limited and Yantra India Limited. As of August 2024, of the total Pinaka systems in service with the Army, Tata has delivered 40 launchers and 8 Command Posts, with another 36 launchers on order. A technology transfer licensing agreement for the Pinaka and Battery Command Post was signed by DRDO and NIBE Limited on 30 May 2025. Strengthening the industrial foundation for the creation and production of domestic defense equipment is the goal of the agreement.

On 29 March 2006, the Indian Army awarded Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro's Heavy Engineering Division a contract worth , to produce 40 Pinaka MBRLs each for two regiments. Tata Power SED declared that it would be delivering the first units within six months. The deliveries were completed by 2010.
On 29 October 2015, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by the Defence Minister of India, cleared purchase of two more Pinaka regiments at a cost of . On March 18, 2016, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the acquisitions. As a consequence, a deal worth was signed with Tata Power SED for delivery of one regiment (20 launchers and 8 command posts). Another regiment was ordered with Larsen & Toubro. The contract was signed with BEML (for vehicles), Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro (for launchers and command posts) and Ordnance Factory Board (rocket ammunition). The entire order was placed in 2016 and all units have been delivered as of 2024. This led to the signing of a contract on 31 August 2020 for six additional regiments worth of launcher systems at from Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Defence public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) which will provide the vehicles will also be part of the project. The contract will include "114 launchers with Automated Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS), 45 Command Posts to be procured from TPCL and L&T, and 330 Vehicles from BEML."
Two additional regiments are expected to be raised within due months as of June 2025 while the final two regiments will be raised in 2026.
On 13 December 2023, the Ministry of Defence cleared the acquisition of 6,400 Pinaka ADM Type 2 and Type 3 rockets at a cost of over . Two main contenders for the order are Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).
On 29 January 2025, an acquisition of Pinaka rocket ammunition was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The order is valued at . The order includes two contracts of different ammunition variants for the 10 Pinaka regiments on order. The contract was finally signed on 6 February 2025.
A contract was signed with Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) at a cost of for the procurement of Area Denial Munition Type 1 (DPICM) with a range of 37 km.
Another contract was signed with Munitions India Limited (MIL) at a cost of for the procurement of High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets [HEPF Mk-1 (E)] with a range of 45 km.
On 6 and 8 January 2026, Tata Advanced Systems and Larsen & Toubro received an order from Indian Army's 510 Advance Base Workshop (ABW) for the upgrade, overhaul and obsolescence management of in-service-first-generation Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and Battery Command Posts (BCPs). In the first phase, a pilot project of overhaul of select Pinaka MLRS and BCPs will be undertaken by Tata-L&T and 510 ABW. This will followed by the same for the remaining units by 510 ABW and Corps of EME where Tata and L&T will provide critical spares, quality assurance and technical support. The partnership is meant to provide long-term operational availability and modernisation of the Pinaka regiments currently in service with the Army. The model will also be used as a "blueprint" in future in similar lifecycle management and upgrade programmes for other systems.

Service history

India

thumb|Pinaka Mark 1 Enhanced rocket being test fired on 24 June 2021.

A section of two launchers were deployed in June 1999 during the Kargil War under the 121 Rocket Regiment.

The first two regiments of Pinaka were inducted by 2010. As of 2016, the Indian Army had plans to operate 10 regiments by 2022 and further increase the numbers to 22 regiments within 2032. The Pinaka system will replace the older Grad MLRS regiments are being retired. The regiments were raised by June 2025. Moreover, training is underway as of 23 June 2025 for two additional regiments which are planned to be raised and operationalised within two months. Also, the equipment for the final two regiments as part of the six-regiment order is scheduled to arrive by the end of the year while the regiments are to be operationalised in early 2026.

As on 15 March 2026, the Army had inducted and operationalised the seventh regiment while the eighth has been raised and has received over half of its equipment. The ninth and tenth are now expected to be inducted in 2027.

Pinaka, Pralay, Nirbhay and BrahMos will become part of the Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), a separate entity from Strategic Forces Command.

Armenia

Armenia signed a combined deal worth for 4 Pinaka batteries and other defense equipment. The order includes supplies of extended range and guided rocket for Pinaka system in the future. Deliveries began in July 2023, and concluded by November 2024.

The Armenian Ground Forces was the first to receive the Guided Pinaka, even before the Indian Army, as the first batch was flagged off from the Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility of Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited (SDAL) based in Nagpur on 18 January 2026.

As of June 2024, some Southeast Asian and European nations has also shown interest to acquire Pinaka MBRL and Netra AEW&C.

On 9 November 2024, Brigadier General Stephane Richou confirmed to Asian News International about the French Army evaluating Pinaka MBRL system for their requirement. This was mentioned during the visit of the high-ranking official who said that that "two countries share much more than just a business relationship and want to cooperate more". French Army chief, Army General Pierre Schill, during his visit to India in October 2025 expressed his interest in the longer-range variant of Pinaka. It is expected to be a reciprocal purchase following Indian acquisition of 114 Rafale jets.France intents to use it as an interim purchase between the phase-out of the M270 MLRS and the induction of the FLP-T MLRS systems.

Specifications

{| class="wikitable"

! Pinaka Mk-I

!Pinaka ADM

!Pinaka ER

!Pinaka Mk-II

!Guided Pinaka

!ERR 122

!Pinaka Mk-III (LRGR-120)

!Pinaka Mk-III ER/ Mk-IV

| Range

| colspan="2" |

|Length

| colspan="2" |

| rowspan="14" |Unknown

|Rocket Diameter

| colspan="5" |

|Warhead weight

| colspan="4" |

| + for guidance, navigation and control kit

| + guidance, navigation and control kit

|Rocket Weight

| colspan="2" |

| rowspan="2" |Unknown

|Propellant Weight

| colspan="2" |

|Rate of fire

| colspan="5" | Approximately 44 seconds.

|40 rockets in 20 seconds

|Approximately 44 seconds.

|Accuracy

| colspan="2" |

≤1.5% range.
<60m CEP at with Trajectory Correction System.

| colspan="2" |≤1.5% range.

<30m CEP at .
Achieved <10m CEP in 2017. Enhanced to 2-3m CEP.

|≤1.5% range.

|<10-20m CEP

|Salvo reload time

| colspan="5" | 4 minutes.

|Unknown

| rowspan="3" |Unknown

|Warheads

|PF, RHE

|DPICM, Anti-tank mines

| colspan="3" |HEPF, RHE

|HEPF, RHE

|Detonation mechanism

| colspan="5" |Contact + Delay, Electronic time and Proximity fuze

|Contact and Proximity fuze

|Guidance

| colspan="3" |Free flight

|Unknown

|RLG-INS + MEMS-IMU + multi-GNSS

|Free flight

|RLG-INS + mid-course update + terminal correction

|Flight stabilization

| colspan="2" |4 curved wrapped around fins

| colspan="2" |6 flat wrapped around fins

|6 flat wrapped around fins (without fin cant)

|4 curved wrapped around fins

| rowspan="2" |Unknown

|Launching pod

| colspan="5" |2 detachable pods, each carrying 6 rockets

|Fixed cluster of 40 rockets

|Launcher

| colspan="5" |

Based on a Kolos Tatra truck for high mobility licence produced in India by BEML.
The truck features a central type regulation system; the driver can adjust the tyre pressure to suit the terrain for optimum mobility.
Six launchers per battery.
Launchers are NBC protected, have their own computerized fire control system, and automatic positioning system.
Designed for shoot and scoot fire missions by using inertial navigation system.
A battery (six launchers) can neutralize an area of roughly 1,000 × 800 m at 40 km range.
The launcher assembly has electro-magnetic elevation and traverse, with traverse being 90° left and right of the centreline and elevation up to 55°.

|Upgraded BM-21 Grad by Larsen & Toubro. Based on Ashok Leyland Super Stallion chassis.

Each launcher carrying 8 guided rockets can neutralize an area of roughly 700 × 500 m at 120 km range.

|Status (as of June 2025)

|Inducted; mass production.

|Order placed for production.

|DAC cleared procurement proposal.

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Operators

thumb|300px|Map of Pinaka MBRL operators in blue

– 7 regiments (126+ launchers) of Pinaka Mk-I and Mk-II in service as of March 2026.
– 4 batteries ordered in September 2022. Deliveries were conducted between July 2023 and September 2024.