PUNE, 17 September 2005 — India continues to sharpen its teeth in its defense sector to keep pace with the latest technological and scientific development. The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) is already working on enhancing its multibarrel launchers with a range of 120 kilometers capable of carrying 250 kilograms of payload.
The ARDE is adding lethal touch to Pinaka rockets — Multibarrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) — which have the capability to fire a salvo of 12 unguided rockets with a 100 kilograms payload to a maximum distance of 100 kilometers at present, which is now being enhanced to a range of 120 kilometers with a increased payload of 250 kilograms.
The enhanced Pinaka rocket will be 7.2 meters long, which can fly over 120 kilometers with a warhead containing 250 kilograms of explosives and can cause extensive damage deep into the enemy territory followed by 11 others in a span of 44 seconds. It converts a 3.9 square kilometer enemy area into shredded cottage cheese.
A.S. Rajagopal, director of ARDE, speaking to journalists on the achievements of Indian scientists at Pune, said that the design plan for the upgraded Pinaka rocket has already been prepared and a team of senior scientists has started work on it. Rajagopal further stated that the rockets will only be ready by the year 2012. They will compete with the Russian SMERCH, Chinese WS-1B and Israeli EXTRA multibarrel rocket systems.
