The Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) is an advanced artillery platform designed to enhance the Indian Army’s firepower. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), particularly the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE). The Pinaka system is a mobile, rocket launcher capable of delivering devastating firepower across long distances. First introduced in the late 1990s, it has become a central component of India’s artillery, with its enhanced versions continuing to evolve.
Purpose of the Pinaka MBRL
The primary purpose of the Pinaka system is to provide the Indian Army with the ability to deliver rapid and sustained rocket fire over large areas. Designed as a modern replacement for the ageing Soviet-era BM-21 Grad systems, Pinaka was designed to meet India’s need for greater range, firepower, and mobility in different combat environments.
Developmental History
The development of Pinaka began in 1986, following a General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) by the Indian Army. The system was subjected to rigorous testing, with successful user trials by 1997. By 2000, the first regiment was operational, and production increased steadily, reaching a manufacturing capacity of around 1,000 rockets per year. Production facilities for the Pinaka system are in the Ordnance Factory in Chanda and Badmal, Orissa.
Operational Use and Combat Experience
The Pinaka MBRL was first used extensively during the Kargil War in 1999, where it played a vital role in targeting Pakistani positions roasting those uninvited infiltrators in cold high altitudes. Its ability to deliver a concentrated barrage of rockets has proved to be a game-changer in our offensive assaults against Pakistani infiltrators.
Pinaka can operate in diverse terrain, allowing the Indian army to use it effectively in any condition. A single Pinaka battery can neutralise an area of approximately 700m x 500m, demonstrating its effectiveness in engaging multiple targets quickly.
Specifications Of The System
Pinaka Mk-I
- Range: 37.5 km
- Warhead: High explosive fragmentation, cluster munition, incendiary, anti-personnel, anti-tank, mine-laying
- Warhead Weight: 100 kg
- Rate of Fire: 12 rockets in 44 seconds
- Status: In service
Pinaka Mk-I Enhanced
- Range: 45 km
- Other Specifications: Similar to Mk-I with improved range
- Warhead Weight: 100 kg
- Status: Completed User trials
Pinaka Mk-II
- Range: 75 km
- Guidance System: Ring laser gyro inertial navigation with GPS/NavIC satellite guidance
- Warhead Weight: 100 kg
- Accuracy: Circular error probable (CEP) of 7 to 60 meters
- Status: DAC cleared for procurement
Pinaka Mk-II Extended Range (ER)
- Range: 90 km
- Warhead Weight: Not Known
- Status: Testing phase
Pinaka Mk-III
- Range: 120 km
- Warhead Weight: 250 kg
- Status: Under development
Pinaka Mk-III Extended Range (ER)
- Range: 200-300 km
- Warhead Weight: Unknown
- Status: Under development
Pinaka Enhanced Range Rocket (ERR 122)
- Range: 40 km
- Warhead Weight: 21 Kg
- Status: Testing phase
System Configuration
Each Pinaka battery consists of:
- Six launcher vehicles (each carrying two pods with 12 rockets)
- Six loader-cum-replenishment vehicles
- Two command post vehicles equipped with fire control computers
The launchers are mounted on an 8×8 Tatra truck chassis, which provides mobility and stability during operations. While Pinaka ERR 122 can be fired from an upgraded BM-21 Grad.
Warhead Variants
The Pinaka rockets can be equipped with various types of warheads:
- Pre-fragmented high explosive
- Anti-tank bomblets
- Anti-personnel mines
- Incendiary warheads
Comparison with Other Systems
Comparison of Pinaka with Pakistani Systems
| Feature | Pinaka MBRL Variants (India) | Pakistani MBRL Systems |
| Caliber | 214 mm (Pinaka Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III) | Not known (Fatah-I, Fatah-II); 122 mm (Azar) |
| Max Range | 40 km (Mk-I), 90 km (Mk-II), 120 km (Mk-III), 300 km (LRGR) | 140 km (Fatah-I), 400 km (Fatah-II), ~40 km (Azar) |
| Payload | 100 kg (Mk-I, Mk-II), 250 kg (Mk-III); | Not known (Fatah-I), 365 kg (Fatah-II); varies (Azar) |
| Guidance System | Unguided (Mk-I), GPS/inertial (Mk-II), advanced (Mk-III, LRGR) | Guided (Fatah-I), INS/GNSS (Fatah-II), Unguided (Azar) |
Comparison of Pinaka with Chinese Systems
| Feature | Pinaka MBRL Variants (India) | Chinese MBRL Systems |
| Caliber | 214 mm (Pinaka Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III); | 300 mm (A-100, PHL-03), 302 mm (WS-2) |
| Max Range | 40 km (Mk-I), 90 km (Mk-II), 120 km (Mk-III), 300 km (LRGR) | 120 km (A-100), 200 km (PHL-03, WS-2) |
| Payload | 100 kg (Mk-I, Mk-II), 250 kg (Mk-III); | Up to 250 kg (A-100, PHL-03), up to 480 kg (WS-2) |
| Guidance System | Unguided (Mk-I), GPS/inertial (Mk-II), advanced (Mk-III, LRGR) | GPS/inertial guidance (A-100, PHL-03, WS-2) |
Comparison of Pinaka with Other Global Systems
| Feature | Pinaka MBRL Variants (India) | Russian MBRL Systems | US MBRL Systems |
| Caliber | 214 mm (Pinaka Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III); | 220 mm (TOS-1A), 300 mm (BM-30 Smerch) | 227 mm (M270 MLRS) |
| Max Range | 40 km (Mk-I), 90 km (Mk-II), 120 km (Mk-III), 300 km (LRGR) | 90 km (BM-30 Smerch), 6 km (TOS-1A) | 70-300 km (M270 HIMARS with ER rockets) |
| Payload | 100 kg (Mk-I, Mk-II), 250 kg (Mk-III); | 243 kg (TOS-1A), 280 kg (BM-30 Smerch) | Varies (~90 kg per rocket, HIMARS) |
| Guidance System | Unguided (Mk-I), GPS/inertial (Mk-II), advanced (Mk-III, LRGR) | Unguided (TOS-1A), GPS/inertial (BM-30 Smerch) | Advanced GPS (M270 MLRS, HIMARS) |
| Warhead Types | HE, fragmentation, incendiary, and cluster warheads | Thermobaric (TOS-1A), cluster warheads (BM-30) | HE, DPICM, unitary warheads |
Effectiveness of MBRL’s
Volume and Firepower: MBRLs, are highly effective in delivering massive volumes of firepower quickly. These systems create area denial zones and suppress enemy movements, making it difficult for forces to counter-attack
Disruption of Enemy Operations: MBRLs target logistics, supply depots, and command centres, other infrastructures important from the perspective of logistics thus disrupting the enemy’s supply chains. This has been a crucial strategy for both Russia and Ukraine targeting each other critical infrastructures and other important assets.
Precision Strikes: Guided Systems like Pinaka Mk II can conduct precision targeting with real-time surveillance and intelligence. This would provide a cost-effective solution to targeting high-value targets instead of using costly cruise missiles or ballistic missiles.
Survivability of MBRL Units: Mobility of the systems lie Pinaka their ability to fire and reposition quickly reducing the risk of counter-battery fire by the enemy.
MBRLs and Traditional Artillery: When MBRLs and artillery unleash their combined firepower, obliterating the enemy and ensuring the destruction of their defences. MBRLs provide rapid, large-scale saturation bombardment, covering wide areas with intense firepower, while artillery hammering sustained, precise, and targeted strikes. Ain’t no one is joking when they say artillery is the “God of War”.
Future Prospects and Export Potential
As of now, the Indian Army operates 10 regiments of Pinaka systems which are deployed along the western and northern front focusing on Pakistan and China. Indian army plans to operate a total of 22 regiments in future. One of the advantages of Pinaka is developed indigenously, which ensures that we are not reliant on imports, unlike Pakistan. Pinaka is replacing older systems like the Grad BM-21, modernizing the Indian Army’s artillery forces.
The export potential of the Pinaka MBRL system has recently grown. Armenia placed a $265 million order for the Pinaka system, marking the first international sale. Countries like Indonesia and Nigeria, along with some Southeast Asian and European nations, have shown interest in Pinaka due to its cost-effectiveness compared to systems like HIMARS. These exports not only strengthen India’s defence sector but also build our strategic partnerships.
