Indigenously developed Pinaka rockets, capable of destroying enemy positions at 40 km-range with rapid salvos, were on Thursday successfully test-fired thrice from a multi-barrel launcher at an armament base in Chandipur-on-sea, near Balasore in Odisha.
The rockets, which have undergone several tough tests since 1995, have been already inducted into the armed forces and the present trials were conducted with some improvements in the weapon system, defence sources said, adding some more tests are likely to be held.
“Three rounds of Pinaka rockets were successfully tested from the proof and experimental establishment (PXE) today at Chandipur,” about 15 km from Balasore, they said.
The unguided rocket system is meant to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos. With a battery of six launchers, the system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds and neutralise a target area of 3.9 sq. km.
The rockets, which act as force-multiplier, were developed to supplement artillery guns, the sources said.
The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system give an edge to the army during a low-intensity conflict situation, they said.
The system’s capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly for the enemy as the rockets could even destroy solid structures and bunkers.
In July 2013, an advanced, second generation Pinaka Mark-II Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher System had undergone successful trials at Chandhan area in Pokhran field firing ranges in western Rajasthan and is in development stage, the sources said.
The development and trials of the advanced system will continue and it is expected to enter service very soon, they said.
