DRDO successfully completes flight tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System

NEW DELHI: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the flight tests of Guided Pinaka Weapon System as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials. The flight tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday.

During these tests, the PSQR parameters such as ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagement in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets. Batches of 12 rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested, the ministry said.

The precision strike variant for Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a totally indigenous weapon system designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Proof & Experimental Establishment with Munitions India Ltd and Economic Explosives Ltd as production agencies for ammunition and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Larsen & Toubro for Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful PSQR validation trials of the system and stated that the induction of this Guided Pinaka Weapon System will further boost the artillery fire power of the armed forces.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V. Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the trials and said the rocket system has completed all pre-requisite flight trials before induction into the Indian Army.