• Source:JND

Pinaka Rocket Tested: The defence ministry on Monday said the DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 km, demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned. The LRGR impacted on the target with textbook precision.

The flight trial was coordinated by ITR and Proof & Experimental Establishment. The LRGR was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher demonstrating its versatility and providing launch capability of Pinaka variants of different range from the same launcher.

Why Is Pinaka Rocket A Game-Changer?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the achievement, saying the successful design and development of long-range guided rockets will boost the capabilities of Armed Forces, terming it as a game-changer.

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All the deployed range instruments tracked the flight throughout its trajectory. This rocket is designed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and support from Defence Research and Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat witnessed the trial and congratulated all the teams for accomplishing the mission objectives.

Defence Ministry Signed Over Rs 10,000-Crore Contract For Pinaka Rocket System

Earlier, in February this year, the government inked contracts worth more than 10,000 crore with defence entities for procurement of Area Denial Munition Type-1 and high-explosive rockets with enhanced range for Pinaka multiple launch rocket system, seeking to enhance Indian Army's firepower capabilities.

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The defence ministry in a statement also said a contract for upgrade in Shakti software has also been signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The ministry has inked contracts with Economic Explosive Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) for "procurement of Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) and High Explosive Pre Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets respectively for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) at a total cost of Rs 10,147 crore", it said.

 


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