The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India created the Pinaka-III, an upgraded Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system. Targeting enemy troop concentrations, armoured vehicles, and vital infrastructure, this artillery system is intended to improve India’s operational capability with long-range firepower.
In answer to the demand for a domestic substitute for multi-barrel systems such as the Russian Grad and Smerch, the Pinaka system was initially conceived in the late 1980s. During the Kargil War in 1999, it made its operational debut and proved to be highly efficient in destroying enemy positions situated atop mountains.
Mounted on a Tatra truck, the Pinaka MBRL is distinguished by its great mobility and flexible architecture. It consists of multiple essential elements:
Six launcher vehicles, each with a 12-rojectory capacity, are included in each battery.
These vehicles make it easier to quickly reload rockets.
outfitted to coordinate strikes using fire control computers.
provide meteorological information to improve the precision of targeting.
The Pinaka system has undergone multiple changes over time:
- Pinaka MK-I: The original model, which has a range of about 40 kilometres.
- Pinaka MK-I Enhanced: Up to 60 km of additional range.
- Pinaka MK-II: An additional 90 km of range.
- Pinaka MK-III: In development at the moment, it should reach ranges of
The first version: Up to 120 km.
Later versions: Possibly as far as 300 km.
The rockets can carry up to 100 kg of payload and can be fitted with a variety of payloads, including as anti-tank mines and high explosives.
In about 44 seconds, the system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets, covering an area of roughly $$1000 \, m \times 800 \, m$$ in a single barrage.
entirely managed by a computerised fire control system.
The firing parameters are manually entered.
possible to be controlled remotely with a remote control unit.
In the event of an electrical malfunction, the manual control of all processes is helpful.
The Indian Army’s striking capabilities are greatly improved by the Pinaka MBRL, which enables the quick and efficient engagement of numerous targets at long distances. It is a flexible tool in contemporary combat situations due to its capacity to function in a range of weather conditions. The Pinaka-III’s development intends to strengthen India’s defence posture by enhancing its capacity to deter regional threats.
The DRDO intends to increase the use of Pinaka systems as part of India’s continuous efforts to update its military capabilities. The Indian Army intends to integrate more sophisticated versions when they become available and currently has a number of regiments using older models.
In summary, the Pinaka-III is a major development in Indian artillery technology that successfully enhances national defence capabilities by fusing local creativity with strategic military requirements.
