In what could be a significant success for indigenous weapon systems, two South American countries have shown interest in the DRDO developed indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the premier R&D organization of the country, is also developing rockets that would be able to strike targets at 120 km and 200 km.
The Indian-made Pinaka weapon system is named after the bow of God Shiva and has been developed by the DRDO.
“We have already achieved success in the exports of the Pinaka MBRLs to Armenia.
Two South American nations have shown interest in the system seeing its capabilities,” defence officials told ANI.
Further, DRDO has also now started working on developing two types of long-range rockets for the systems, including a 120Km and a 200Km strike capability version, they said.
The DRDO would be producing and developing the new rockets with its partners in both private and public sector industries.
About Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers
Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by DRDO), the premier R&D organization of India, for the Indian Army.
The system has a maximum range of 40 km for Mark-I and 60 km for Mark-I enhanced version, and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds.
The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility.
Noteworthy, Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralising Pakistani positions on the mountain tops.
It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.
As of 2014, about 5,000 missiles are being produced every year while an advanced variant is under development with enhanced range and accuracy.
As of 2019, an upgraded guided missile version of the system has been test-fired, with a range of over 90 km.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinaka_multi-barrel_rocket_launcher
