The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a crucial flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at Chandipur, Odisha, targeting a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, which is as vital as its maximum reach for operational deployment. This test demonstrated that the LRGR, designed to reach up to 120 km, can accurately hit targets at shorter distances by shedding significant energy and executing steep maneuvers, confirming the launchers have no "dead zone" and can engage targets across the entire 60-120 km range without upgrades. The trial, which followed the LRGR-120's maiden test to its maximum range in December, saw the rocket impact the target with "textbook precision" and validated the versatility of the in-service Pinaka launcher for various range variants, marking a significant step in India's indigenous long-range guided rocket capabilities.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a crucial flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at Chandipur, Odisha, targeting a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, which is as vital as its maximum reach for operational deployment. This test demonstrated that the LRGR, designed to reach up to 120 km, can accurately hit targets at shorter distances by shedding significant energy and executing steep maneuvers, confirming the launchers have no "dead zone" and can engage targets across the entire 60-120 km range without upgrades. The trial, which followed the LRGR-120's maiden test to its maximum range in December, saw the rocket impact the target with "textbook precision" and validated the versatility of the in-service Pinaka launcher for various range variants, marking a significant step in India's indigenous long-range guided rocket capabilities.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a crucial flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at Chandipur, Odisha, targeting a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, which is as vital as its maximum reach for operational deployment. This test demonstrated that the LRGR, designed to reach up to 120 km, can accurately hit targets at shorter distances by shedding significant energy and executing steep maneuvers, confirming the launchers have no "dead zone" and can engage targets across the entire 60-120 km range without upgrades. The trial, which followed the LRGR-120's maiden test to its maximum range in December, saw the rocket impact the target with "textbook precision" and validated the versatility of the in-service Pinaka launcher for various range variants, marking a significant step in India's indigenous long-range guided rocket capabilities.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday conducted a successful flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur.

The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, they said. The ‘minimum range’ test is reportedly as crucial as the maximum reach for the users before the system is inducted into the force.

Why the test is significant?

A rocket geared to zoom to 120 km has to shed enormous energy and execute steep manoeuvres to accurately hit a target just 60 km away, The New Indian Express said in a report. The test also confirmed that the launchers have no ‘dead zone’ in front of them and are capable of taking out any enemy target within the entire 60–120 km range without requiring an upgrade or a separate weapon system attachment.

DRDO is reportedly also working on 300-km and 450-km versions of the weapon.

Trial confirms accuracy and versatility

During the trial, the LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision, exactly following the predicted trajectory, the DRDO confirmed alongside visuals of the trial launch. Wednesday's trial reportedly follows the maiden flight test of the LRGR-120 in December last year, when the rocket was fired to its maximum range of 120 km.

"The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on July 8," the defence ministry said.

Demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned, the LRGR impacted the target with "textbook precision", exactly following the predicted trajectory. All the deployed range instruments tracked the flight throughout its trajectory, the officials said.

The Pinaka LRGR rocket is designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, with support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and the Research Centre Imarat.

"The flight trial was coordinated by ITR and Proof & Experimental Establishment. The rocket was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher, demonstrating its versatility and providing launch capability of Pinaka variants of different ranges from the same launcher," the ministry said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Army, and the industry on the successful flight test.

He described it as a "major milestone" in indigenous design and development capability for long-range guided rockets.

The Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher is a rocket artillery system used by the Indian Army for long-range, high-volume battlefield firepower. The high-mobility, truck-mounted weapon can destroy enemy troops, artillery positions, bunkers, and logistics hubs over a large area in a very short period of time.

The Indian Army, which is expanding its artillery capabilities, especially on the western and northern frontiers, will add another such system by the end of this year. As per available information, a single Pinaka battery of six launchers can fire 72 rockets in about 44 seconds, saturating an area of roughly 1,000 by 800 metres.

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