A historic order worth ₹6,000 crore has been acquired by Solar Group, based in Nagpur, to supply the Indian military with Pinaka rockets. This agreement, which is a component of a bigger ₹10,000 crore procurement package authorized by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), is the first time a private sector business has been given a contract of this kind for an advanced artillery armament system.
The agreement covers the provision of multiple Pinaka rocket variants, such as increased range and area denial weapons. The guided version has a range of more than 70 kilometers, and the extended range version can hit targets as far as 45 kilometers.
The defense manufacturing portion of this order will be handled by Economic Explosives Limited, a subsidiary of Solar Group. Being the lowest bidder, the company was able to obtain a bigger portion of the contract than Munitions India Limited (MIL), which will also be involved in production.
The government’s drive for self-reliance in defense capabilities makes this purchase important not only for Solar Group but also for India’s defense manufacturing sector. International interest in the Pinaka system, which was created by many Indian defense research institutions, has already grown, with nations like France and Armenia wishing to purchase these rockets.
It is anticipated that the winning proposal and the ensuing contract will improve the Indian Army’s artillery capabilities, particularly in the difficult terrain near the northern frontiers.