India’s current expansion of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system represents a watershed moment in the country’s artillery modernization and deep strike capabilities. On June 24, 2025, the Indian Army activated two more Pinaka regiments, cementing its transition from Soviet-era systems to modern indigenous alternatives.
The Pinaka system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), TATA Power Company Limited (TPCL), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is designed for rapid, high-volume saturation attacks and has become a key component of India’s long-range fire support doctrine.
Each Pinaka battery has six launchers capable of launching 72 rockets in 44 seconds, covering an area of about 800 by 1000 meters. The rockets have a basic range of up to 38 kilometers at sea level, with much longer reach in mountainous places like as Ladakh, improving deep strike capabilities along sensitive frontiers.
The system’s integration of Automated Gun Aiming & Positioning Systems (AGAPS) with computerized command posts enables rapid deployment and precise aiming, making it particularly useful in difficult and high-altitude terrains.
The deployment of these regiments is part of a larger modernization plan that seeks to replace the old Russian BM-21 Grad systems with 22 Pinaka regiments by 2042, guaranteeing that the Pinaka forms the backbone of India’s rocket artillery. The government is investing heavily in this shift, with contracts worth over ₹10,000 crore for munitions and system upgrades in 2025, as well as previous orders for thousands of rockets and equipment.
The continued development of the Extended Range (ER) Pinaka, which can strike targets up to 75 kilometers away, and future ambitions to reach ranges of 90 to 120 kilometers, demonstrate India’s commitment to indigenous capability expansion and self-reliance.
Strategically, the deployment of more Pinaka regiments strengthens India’s deterrence posture against both Pakistan and China, allowing for fast, high-impact strikes deep into hostile territory while compensating for terrain-imposed constraints.
The Pinaka’s improved range, digital firing control, and mobility provide clear benefits over outdated systems such as the Grad-21, while its domestic manufacturing ensures supply chain sovereignty and aligns with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliance) policy.
The expansion of the Pinaka rocket artillery system signals a watershed moment in India’s military modernization, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, increasing operational flexibility, and reaffirming India’s desire to become a regional defense manufacturing hub. As Pinaka regiments become the backbone of the Army’s Rocket Force, they not only strengthen India’s deep strike and deterrence capabilities, but also mark a significant change toward technological self-sufficiency and strategic autonomy.
