A few days ago, the Indian Army conducted a practice firing of its indigenously developed Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) at the Pokharan Field Firing Ranges. Another practice round is scheduled in the coming weeks. These exercises reaffirm India’s commitment to enhancing its indigenous firepower and demonstrate a quiet but steady message of operational readiness and strategic self-reliance.
Pinaka, named after the celestial bow of Lord Shiva, represents more than a weapons system. It fuses cultural legacy with cutting-edge military engineering—precise, powerful, and homegrown. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Pinaka system reflects India’s larger push toward defence self-sufficiency under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
From an operational standpoint, the Pinaka MBRL is a formidable military asset. It is capable of firing 72 rockets in just 44 seconds, delivering nearly seven tonnes of explosive force over a range of up to 60 kilometres. The extended-range version, Pinaka Mk-II ER, reaches 90 kilometres, with future variants under development expected to strike as far as 120, 150, and even 200 kilometres.
Beyond its reach and volume of fire, what sets Pinaka apart is its precision. Integrated GPS and inertial navigation systems make it highly accurate, allowing for focused area engagement with minimal collateral damage. This precision aligns with India’s evolving approach to the use of force—one that prioritises targeted impact and strategic restraint.
Just as important as the technology is the ecosystem behind it. Indian defence manufacturers like Tata Advanced Systems and Larsen & Toubro have played a key role in the system’s production. With an annual capacity exceeding 5,000 rockets, India can now sustain long-duration operations without reliance on external suppliers. This domestic scalability is critical in a region where protracted conflicts cannot be ruled out.
Globally, the Pinaka system has already made its presence felt. India has exported the system to Armenia, and countries like France have shown interest as well. This international recognition of India’s indigenous capability is a quiet validation of the strides the country has made in high-end defence manufacturing.
Pinaka is also a system designed for the future battlefield. It integrates seamlessly with India’s command-and-control architecture and works in coordination with surveillance and reconnaissance assets. In an age of digitised conflict and rapid mobility, such integration is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
As a defence analyst, I see in the Pinaka not just a rocket system, but a symbol of how far India’s defence preparedness has come. It is not headline-grabbing in the way fighter jets or submarines are, but in terms of real-world battlefield impact—speed, firepower, precision, and sustainability—it checks every box.
The recent and upcoming firing practice may not be dramatic events, but they are important. They demonstrate that India is not only acquiring indigenous capability but is consistently validating it under field conditions. In today’s complex and evolving security environment, that quiet confidence matters.
Col. Danvir Singh (Retd) is a military veteran who is now associated with different television and print media as a consultant on defence and strategic affairs. He follows developments in weapon systems closely and carries out analysis on matters Defence, Strategy & Foreign Affairs with special focus on India’s neighbourhood. A prolific writer in various newspapers and magazines, Col Danvir is the author of the book Kashmir’s Death Trap: Tales of Perfidy and Valour.