- Successful flight-test of indigenous Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket marks another leap in India’s precision strike capability
- Rocket hits target with textbook accuracy after flawlessly executing all planned in-flight manoeuvres from an in-service Pinaka launcher
- Breakthrough validates DRDO’s advanced indigenous design, strengthens long-range battlefield firepower and enhances operational flexibility
- Defence Minister hails milestone as a major boost to India’s self-reliance in next-generation guided rocket systems
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 8
India has taken another decisive step towards strengthening its indigenous long-range strike capability, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducting the flight-test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR), demonstrating exceptional precision, reliability and operational flexibility.
The trial was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, where the rocket was successfully tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 kilometres.
During the mission, the Pinaka LRGR flawlessly executed every planned in-flight manoeuvre before striking its designated target with textbook precision, exactly as predicted. Sophisticated range instrumentation tracked the rocket throughout its flight, validating its trajectory and mission performance.
The successful trial further reinforces India’s growing capability to design and develop advanced indigenous precision-guided weapon systems capable of meeting the evolving operational requirements of the Armed Forces.
The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), with technical support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI).
The flight-test was coordinated by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) and the Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE).
A significant highlight of the trial was the launch of the rocket from an in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating the system’s versatility and its ability to deploy multiple Pinaka variants of varying ranges without requiring modifications to the existing launcher platform.
Congratulating DRDO, the Indian Army and industry partners on the achievement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the successful flight-test as a landmark in India’s indigenous defence capability.
“The successful flight-test is a major milestone in India’s indigenous design and development capability for long-range guided rockets,” he said.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, closely monitored the trial and congratulated all the scientists, engineers and teams associated with the successful mission.
The latest success is expected to further enhance the Indian Army’s precision long-range firepower while strengthening the country’s pursuit of technological self-reliance under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
