India Oks Pinaka Rocket Deal worth $1.2B

The Indian government has reportedly approved a ₹10,200 crore ($1.2 billion) deal to procure ammunition for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system, with contracts set to be signed by March 31.

Indian media outlets reported that the deal includes ₹5,700 crore ($658 million) for high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition and ₹4,500 crore ($520 million) for area denial munitions.

The ammunition will be produced by Nagpur-based Solar Group (private sector) and state-owned Munitions India Limited in a 60:40 ratio. These munitions will support the Army’s existing Pinaka regiments and the planned induction of six more.

The high-explosive pre-fragmented ammunition has a 45 km range, while the area denial munitions can target areas up to 37 km, saturating target zones with bomblets, including anti-tank and anti-personnel minelets.

The Pinaka system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), can fire 12 rockets in 44 seconds and has been deployed along the Line of Actual Control. The current variant has a 75 km range, with future plans to extend it to 150 km and beyond.