Indigenously-developed ‘Pinaka’ rockets - MK II were test-fired successfully from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRl) at the Chandipur-on-sea in Baleswar district on Tuesday.
“Four rounds of Pinaka rockets were successfully tested today,” said a defence source, adding more rounds of the rockets would be tested in this week.‘Pinaka’, which has undergone several tough tests since 1995, has already been inducted into the armed forces. ‘Pinaka’ is an area weapon system with a range of 40 km. “The MBRl, capable of acting as a force-multiplier, has been developed to supplement artillery guns,” a defence official said.
The unguided rocket system is meant to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos. ‘Pinaka’ system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds, the sources said, adding that the battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km. The system’s capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly for the enemy as it can even destroy solid structures.