India has successfully test-fired Pinaka rockets home-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System 211213

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Defence & Security News - India

 
 
Saturday, December 21, 2013 06:19 AM
 
India has successfully test-fired Pinaka rockets home-made MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System.
India's indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired from a multi-barrel rocket launcher from a base at Chandipur-on-sea Thursday, December 19, 2013. "Six rounds of Pinaka rockets were successfully tested from the proof and experimental establishment at Chandipur," defence sources said.
     
India's indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired from a multi-barrel rocket launcher from a base at Chandipur-on-sea Thursday, December 19, 2013. "Six rounds of Pinaka rockets were successfully tested from the proof and experimental establishment at Chandipur," defence sources said.
Indian home-made Pinaka MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System during firing test (Archive image)
     

Pinaka, which has undergone several tough tests since 1995, has been inducted into the armed forces of India and the present trials were conducted with some improvements in the system, the sources said.

The tests were conducted by personnel from Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune unit.

The unguided rocket system was meant to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos.

The rockets with a range of 40 km, capable of acting as a force-multiplier, was developed to supplement artillery guns, the sources said.

The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system gave an edge to the Army during a low-intensity conflict situation, they said.

The system's capability to incorporate several types of warheads made it deadly for the enemy as it could even destroy solid structures and bunkers.

The Pinaka system with a battery of six launchers could fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds and could neutralise a target area of 3.9 sq km.

In July this year, more 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 would continue and the rocket was expected to enter service very soon, they said.