India Set to Test Dangerous Rocket Launcher, Adding New Tension for China and Pakistan

India has developed a cutting-edge guided rocket system that is expected to unsettle both China and Pakistan. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has engineered this system to significantly enhance India's long-range strike capabilities. Developed at the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories, the new system is named Pinaka MK-3—a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL). This version represents the most advanced iteration of the Pinaka series to date, surpassing previous versions such as MK-1 (with a range of 40 km), MK-2 (60–90 km), and Guided Pinaka (75–90 km).

The Pinaka MK-3 is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 120 kilometers and can carry a 250-kilogram warhead. It is specifically designed to destroy enemy command centers, bunkers, and supply hubs. The rocket features a 300-millimeter diameter, an upgrade from the earlier 214-millimeter version. This increased diameter allows for enhanced fuel capacity and the integration of advanced guidance systems, resulting in greater range and performance.

The DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) has contributed a high-tech Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) kit for the system. This kit includes laser gyro-based navigation and microstrip antennas, enabling the rockets to achieve a circular error probability (CEP) of less than 10 meters—a significant improvement over the approximately 500-meter CEP of the MK-1 version.

The Pinaka MK-3 rockets are compatible with existing Pinaka launchers, which helps reduce additional costs. Each launcher can carry eight guided rockets and can devastate an area of 700 by 500 meters in just 44 seconds.

The development of the Pinaka MK-3 has come at a crucial time. China’s PHL-03 rocket system (with a range of 70–130 km) and Pakistan’s A-100 system (120 km range) have prompted India to upgrade its military capabilities. In 2021, the Indian Army approved the development of 120-km and 300-km range variants of the Pinaka system to counter these threats.