The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has mentioned on Monday that it had successfully conducted trials of the improved range Pinaka rockets at Balasore and Pokhran over the past few weeks.

HIGHLIGHTS
The completion of trials considered as a further step in 'Make in India' initiative
DRDO-developed Range Pinaka rockets were conducted at Balasore and Pokhran
Pinaka MBRL designed by Armament Research and Development Establishment

The DRDO had mentioned that Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited, the makers of the system had met the user necessities which were important for the completion of the trials.

The successful completion of the trials would be considered as a further step within the direction of the 'Make in India' initiative of the Indian government within the defence sector.

Quoting the defence officials, the reports have mentioned that the user trials of the DRDO-developed Range Pinaka rockets were conducted at Balasore and Pokhran over the past few weeks. They have mentioned that it marked a successful milestone for the 'Make in India' initiative within the defence sector.

The Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) was a multiple rocket launcher which was produced in India for the Indian Army, and contains a free-flight artillery rocket. Pinaka Mark-I includes a maximum range of 40 kilometres whereas the Mark-I enhanced version which has a maximum range of 60 kilometres.

The Pinaka MBRL was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a laboratory of the DRDO. Based mostly in Pune, the ARDE was the main DRDO lab which was involved within the development of conventional armaments that referred to weapons with the power to cause damage.

Pinaka Mark-I and Mark-II have a multi-tube launcher vehicle, which was a replenishment-cum-loader vehicle, a replacement vehicle, and a command headquarters vehicle. The rocket launcher has two pods which would contain six rockets each, and might neutralize an area of 700 × 500 sq. metres within 48 seconds.

Since the Indian Army needs a free fire rocket with enhanced range, ARDE developed the Pinaka Mk-II rocket with a range of 60 kilometres.

On April 9, 2022, Pinaka Mark I Enhanced and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) were unemployed from the Army Test Range at Pokhran for consistency and accuracy, as a part of developmental tests. On August 24, 2022, the user trials were conducted. The Pinaka ADM was made by Yantra India Limited, a Nagpur-based defence company.

In the month of May, DRDO had confirmed that successful trails of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) were conducted at Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR), Rajasthan.

The ATAGS was completely indigenous towed artillery gun system project undertaken in mission mode by the DRDO, as a part of the artillery modernization programme of the Indian Army.

The DRDO has developed the ATAGS. Indian firms Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have created the ATAGS.

The ATAGS was expecting to replace the Bofors howitzers.

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