Pinaka MBRL in Pokharan (Photo: DRDO)
New Delhi: The Indian Army is set to complete the deployment of six additional regiments of indigenously developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers by 2026. This will significantly bolstering the country’s artillery capabilities along sensitive border regions.
Two of the six new regiments are already operational and deployed, while equipment for two more has been received and personnel training is expected to commence shortly, according to sources in the defence establishment. The launcher systems for the remaining two regiments are anticipated to arrive by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
The expansion forms part of a ₹2,580 crore contract signed in August 2020 with BEML, Tata Power, and Larsen & Toubro, awarded just months after the violent Galwan valley clash between Indian and Chinese forces in June 2020. The timing underscored the urgent need to enhance artillery firepower along contested frontiers.
Talking to reporters, a source in the defence ministry confirmed that two of the six regiments had been raised and deployed, with equipment for two additional regiments already received and soldier training expected to commence shortly. The source added that the launcher systems for the remaining two regiments were anticipated to be delivered by the end of this year or beginning of 2026 if everything proceeded as scheduled.
The Pinaka system, named after Lord Shiva’s divine bow, represents a cornerstone of India’s artillery modernization programme. The system gained its first combat experience during the 1999 Kargil conflict against Pakistan. At that time, it demonstrated its effectiveness in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
Each regiment comprises three batteries of six launchers, with every launcher capable of firing 12 rockets within 44 seconds across a 38-kilometre range. The system can neutralize enemy assets across an area measuring one kilometre by 800 metres. Advanced Pinaka extended-range rockets can strike targets up to 75 kilometres away with precision guidance.
Once the current expansion is completed, the Army will operate four regiments of Pinaka Mk I systems with six Pinaka Mk II regiments on order. The complete Pinaka arsenal will include 114 launchers, 45 command posts, and 330 vehicles.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization, the Pinaka system is designed to replace ageing Soviet-era Grad BM-21 multiple launch rocket systems. The Army currently operates five regiments of Russian-origin Grad BM-21 systems and three regiments of Smerch rocket systems, which will be phased out as Pinaka deployment accelerates.
The service aims to field 22 regiments of Pinaka launchers equipped with automated gun-aiming systems, positioning technology, and advanced command posts. The indigenously developed 214mm Pinaka will serve as the mainstay of the Army’s long-range rocket artillery capability, designed for rapid deployment of concentrated firepower against critical targets in sensitive areas.
Recent developments have enhanced the system’s capabilities significantly. In November 2024, the DRDO successfully completed flight tests for the guided Pinaka multiple-launch rocket system during validation trials conducted across various field firing ranges. The guided variant extends the system’s range beyond 90 kilometres while maintaining high accuracy.
The expansion comes as part of substantial ammunition procurement programmes. In 2023, the defence ministry approved the purchase of 6,400 Pinaka rockets worth ₹2,800 crore. Subsequently, in February 2025, contracts valued at ₹10,147 crore were signed for high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition with a 45-kilometre strike range and area-denial munitions effective up to 37 kilometres.
The system’s growing international profile was highlighted recently with reports that France is in advanced talks to acquire Indian Pinaka rocket launcher systems, marking a significant milestone for India’s defence export ambitions.
The Pinaka programme reflects India’s broader push toward indigenous defence manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative. The system’s development and production involve multiple Indian companies, creating a robust domestic supply chain while reducing dependence on foreign military equipment.
Military analysts view the Pinaka expansion as particularly significant given current security challenges. The system’s deployment along the northern border with China and western front with Pakistan provides commanders with enhanced capability to deliver rapid, concentrated firepower in contested areas where conventional artillery might prove insufficient.
The completion of the Pinaka expansion by 2026 will mark a substantial milestone in India’s artillery modernization, providing field commanders with one of the most advanced rocket artillery systems globally. With its combination of indigenous development, proven combat effectiveness, and ongoing technological enhancements, the Pinaka system represents India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities and strategic autonomy in critical military technologies.
