India's DRDO eyes on enhanced version of the Pinaka multiple barrel rocket launcher

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Defense and Security equipment - Pinaka MBLR
 
India's DRDO eyes on enhanced version of the Pinaka multiple barrel rocket launcher
The Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster wing of India Defense Research and Development Organisation, Pune is exploring the possibility of increasing the range of Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launch System (MBRL) from 40 km to 60 km, a top official said to the India-based website Brahmand on Saturday, April 4.
     
India DRDO eyes on enhanced version of the Pinaka multiple barrel rocket launcher 640 001India's Pinaka 214 mm multiple barrel rocket launcher 
     
Last year, the Mark-II version of Pinaka rocket system was successfully tested from a defence base off the Odisha coast on Thursday. At least three rounds of the rocket were test fired from the Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur-on-sea. Defence sources said the tests were of an extended range version of the rocket. While the older version of the rocket has a range of 40 km, its extended version can destroy targets at a distance of nearly 65 km.

"The trials are in the process at the cluster, which will be followed by field based trials," Anil M Datar, the distinguished scientist and ACE Director General told reporters on the sidelines of a graduation day function at the Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College here.

Pinaka is the first indigenous rocket system successfully designed, developed and produced by the ARDE with the help of private industries.

On ongoing projects, Datar said that ACE is engaged in making weapons for the next six to 10 years, considering the technological advancements.

He said ACE was working to get more accuracy to target in guided rockets, even as manual labour is reduced and automation increased.

ACE was also in the process of developing a quick launcher portable bridge that can move along with the equipment, Datar said.

Earlier addressing the graduates, Datar said there was a huge gap between defence technology in India and that found worldwide and called for steps to bridge it. Further research was essential for improving existing systems and developing new ones, he said.

Datar stressed the need for educational institutes to impart the latest knowledge to enable young engineers develop technologies for advanced weapons systems to make the nation self-reliant in critical defence technology systems.

Any war strategies are directly related to availability and efficiency of weapons, he said, adding that in the changing scenario, global wars and space wars may become a reality.