India successfully flight-tested Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System

Context

Recently, Defence Research and Development Organization(DRDO) and the Indian Army have successfully flight-tested Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems.

About the EPRS system

• The EPRS is the upgraded version of the Pinaka variant, which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. 
• The system has been upgraded with advanced technologies enhancing the range to meet the emerging requirements.
• It is developed by Pune-based DRDO laboratories – Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
• It is a long-range artillery system used for attacking the enemy before close battles.   
• It can destroy targets at distances up to 45 km.  
• A battery of six launchers of Pinaka can fire a salvo of 72 rockets in 44 seconds, thereby neutralising an area of 1000mX800m.
• The enhanced Pinaka along with guidance Pinaka will cover the range between 60 to 90 kilometres.
• It would replace the existing Pinaka Mk-1 rockets, which had a range of 36 km.
• After establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka, the technology was transferred to the industries viz. Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited Nagpur.
• Rockets manufactured by MIL under Transfer of Technology from DRDO were flight tested during this campaign. 
• Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully test evaluated in the Pokhran Field Firing Range.

What are Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems?

• It is Designed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and manufactured by the industry partners under technology transfer.
• ADMs are a category of ammunition used to prohibit the adversary from occupying or passing through a particular area.

About Pinaka Rocket

• The Pinaka, a multi-barrel rocket-launcher (MBRL) system named after Shiva’s bow, can fire a salvo of 12 rockets over a period of 44 seconds.
• The development of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket systems was started by the DRDO in the late 1980s, as an alternative to the Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher systems of Russian make called the ‘Grad’.
• The navigation system of the Guided Pinaka missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).