pinaka

Pinaka is an Indian self-propelled multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. Named after the bow of the Hindu god Shiva, Pinaka was conceived to provide long-range, rapid-fire artillery support and to saturate areas with area-effect munitions. The system is designed to deliver a volley of rockets over a broad front to disrupt enemy formations, supply lines, and fortified positions.

The Pinaka family is built around a truck-mounted launcher that carries multiple rocket tubes and is operated as part of a battery that includes a command post, fire-control system, and surveillance or radar assets. A typical Pinaka battery is designed for rapid deployment and high-fire-rate salvos, enabling quick saturation of a target area and subsequent follow-on fire if required. The rockets are fired in rapid succession to create a large-area impact, with the fire-control system coordinating launch timing and aiming.

Variants and development have focused on range, accuracy, and mobility. The original Pinaka Mark I provided a shorter-range capability suitable for battlefield support. Later variants, including the Pinaka Mark II and extended-range versions, offer significantly greater range and improved performance, enabling engagement of distant targets while preserving mobility on the battlefield. These improvements have been accompanied by refinements to propulsion, guidance or navigation systems, and warhead options to suit evolving tactical requirements.

Operationally, Pinaka has undergone extensive testing and has been deployed for training and field exercises by the Indian Army. It forms part of India’s strategic artillery modernization and is the centerpiece of the country’s rocket artillery capability along with a broader family of DRDO-developed systems.