New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the Flight Tests of the Guided Pinaka Weapon System, marking a significant milestone in the validation of the system’s Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR). The flight tests, conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges, assessed key parameters such as ranging, accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode.
As part of the trials, twelve rockets from each production agency were tested using two in-service Pinaka launchers, which were upgraded by launcher production agencies. These tests demonstrated the system’s ability to meet PSQR standards and confirmed the enhanced operational capabilities of the Guided Pinaka Weapon System.
The Guided Pinaka Weapon System is an advanced, indigenous precision strike variant developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), in collaboration with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), and Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE). The weapon system’s ammunition production was handled by Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited, while Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro were responsible for the Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post.
The Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh, congratulated the DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful completion of the PSQR Validation Trials, emphasizing that the induction of this Guided Pinaka Weapon System will significantly enhance the artillery firepower of the Indian Armed Forces.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also expressed his congratulations to the teams involved in the trials. He noted that the Guided Pinaka has now completed all the pre-requisite flight trials and is on track for induction into the Indian Army.
This successful trial paves the way for the Guided Pinaka Weapon System to become a critical component of India’s artillery, strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities with a highly advanced, indigenous solution.
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