The DRDO and the Indian Army successfully flight-tested a new variant of the Pinaka rocket system at the Pokhran firing ranges on Saturday, according to the defence ministry.

During the last fortnight, up to 24 Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket Systems (EPRS) were fired for various ranges, and the weapons reached the requisite precision and consistency, according to the report. The EPRS is an improved version of the Pinaka type, which has served with the Indian Army for the past decade.

The rocket system has been modified using sophisticated technology to increase range to satisfy emerging demand, according to the ministry.

“The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems at Pokhran firing ranges,” the ministry said in a statement.

“With these testing, the first step of EPRS technology absorption by industry has been effectively accomplished, and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series manufacture of the rocket system,” the statement continued.

The Pinaka rocket system was developed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment with assistance from the DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.

The technology was given to Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur, after the enhanced range version of Pinaka was proven to be effective.

“During this effort, MIL rockets were flight-tested using technology transferred from the DRDO. In the Pokhran field firing range, different kinds of munitions and fuses that can be employed in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully tested “According to the Ministry of Defense.

G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of the DRDO, commended the project’s crews for completing the rockets’ flight tests.

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