DRDO Conducts Successful Test of Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket with 120-km Range
India's indigenous rocket artillery capabilities received a significant boost as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed the first successful flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur on Monday.
This successful test coincided with the Defence Acquisition Council's (DAC) approval of defence procurement proposals valued at ₹79,000 crore, including the Long Range Guided Rockets-120. The DAC meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Defence Ministry reported that during the test, the LRGR-120 reached its full strike range of 120 km. It executed all planned in-flight maneuvers and achieved a precise hit on the designated target. The rocket's trajectory and performance parameters were thoroughly monitored by all tracking instruments deployed at the ITR.
This successful trial represents a crucial advancement in India's Pinaka rocket artillery program, significantly boosting the Army's capability for long-range precision strikes.
The LRGR-120 was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), and supported by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI). The trial was coordinated by the Integrated Test Range along with the Proof & Experimental Establishment (P&EE).
Importantly, the rocket was launched from an in-service Pinaka launcher, showcasing the system's versatility to fire multiple Pinaka variants with varying ranges from the same platform.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO teams on the successful test, highlighting that the development of long-range guided rockets would greatly enhance the Armed Forces' operational capabilities, describing it as a "game changer" for India's artillery strength.
DRDO Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, who was present at the trial, praised the scientists and engineers for meeting all mission objectives.
With the successful test of the LRGR-120 and the DAC's approval for its procurement, the induction of advanced Pinaka variants is expected to be expedited, further reinforcing India's precision strike and deterrence capabilities.
