New Delhi, July 9: India has taken another significant step towards strengthening its indigenous long-range precision strike capability after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket (LRGR), accurately engaging a target at a range of 60 kilometres.
The successful trial highlights the continuous evolution of the Pinaka rocket system into a highly accurate, long-range battlefield weapon capable of delivering precision firepower against enemy positions. Defence sources said the test validated the rocket’s advanced guidance system, improved navigation capability and enhanced accuracy, making it a major force multiplier for the Indian Army’s artillery arm.
Precision Strike at Extended Range
During the trial, the guided rocket successfully hit its designated target with high precision at a distance of 60 km. Video footage circulating online reportedly shows the rocket striking the target accurately, demonstrating the effectiveness of its onboard navigation and terminal guidance technologies.
Unlike conventional artillery rockets, the Long-Range Guided Rocket is designed to engage high-value targets with significantly improved accuracy, enabling commanders to neutralise enemy assets while minimising collateral damage.
Major Upgrade to the Pinaka System
The Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch System (MRLS), which has already been inducted into the Indian Army, has undergone continuous upgrades over the past decade.
The new Long-Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) offers several improvements over earlier variants, including:
- 🎯 Precision-guided strike capability.
- 🚀 Extended operational range of approximately 60 kilometres.
- 📡 Advanced navigation and guidance systems.
- ⚔️ Faster response against time-sensitive targets.
- 🔥 Greater effectiveness against enemy artillery, command centres, logistics hubs and troop concentrations.
The enhanced range allows Indian artillery units to engage targets much deeper inside hostile territory while remaining at safer stand-off distances.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Capability
The successful test is another milestone under the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and promote indigenous weapons development.
Developed by DRDO in collaboration with Indian industry, the Pinaka system has emerged as one of India’s most successful indigenous artillery programmes. It has already attracted export interest from several friendly countries, reflecting growing confidence in Indian defence technology.
Force Multiplier for the Indian Army
Military experts believe the guided Pinaka rocket will significantly enhance the Indian Army’s long-range firepower by providing precision strike capability comparable to many modern rocket artillery systems deployed globally.
The system is expected to complement other long-range precision weapons in India’s inventory and play a vital role in future battlefield operations by enabling rapid destruction of critical enemy infrastructure, air defence sites, ammunition dumps, command posts and troop concentrations.
Continuous Modernisation of Rocket Artillery
The successful trial is part of India’s broader effort to modernise its artillery arm through indigenous systems. Alongside Pinaka, the Army is inducting advanced platforms such as the ATAGS, Dhanush, K9 Vajra-T and various precision-guided munitions to build a highly mobile, network-centric artillery force capable of delivering accurate and overwhelming firepower.
With this successful demonstration, the Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket further strengthens India’s indigenous precision-strike capability and reinforces DRDO’s growing expertise in developing advanced missile and rocket technologies for the Armed Forces.