India conducts second successful test of Guided Pinaka Rocket

India on Tuesday conducted the second successful test of the Guided Pinaka rocket from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch pad at Chandipur in Odisha.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar congratulated both the Army and the DRDO for developing the Guided Pinaka in a very short span of time.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired the Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket System around 12 45 p.m from the ITR (Integrated Test Range) in the presence of senior artillery officers, an official statement said.

According to sources, the range of the rocket has increased from 40 to 70 km with an improved accuracy from 500m to 50m.

The Guided Pinaka is a modified version of the Pinaka Rocket, equipped with a navigation, guidance and control kit.

This conversion has considerably enhanced the range and accuracy of Pinaka, an official statement said.

"The Mission met all the objectives," the statement said.A

The Radars, Electro Optical and Telemetry Systems at ITR Chandipur tracked and monitored the vehicle all through the flight path.

Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister G. Satheesh Reddy, who was present during the launch operations, said the success of Guided Pinaka has "reinforced the technological strength of the country in converting unguided systems into weapons of high precision."

On January 12, the first test flight of the improved version was conducted by the DRDO.

The radars, electro-optical and telemetry systems at Chandipur, tracked and monitored the vehicle all through the flight-path.

The Guided Pinaka is developed jointly by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL).

India at present is operating two regiments of Pinaka and has ordered for two more regiments. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last year cleared a proposal for six additional regiments at a cost of Rs 14,633 crore.

--IANS

ao/gsh/vm