Here is a good news for Nagpur. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The rocket system has been developed with manufacturing support from M/s Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), Nagpur.

DRDO conducted the successful test-firing on June 24 and June 25, continuing with development of Artillery Rocket Systems. As many as 25 Enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched in quick succession against targets at different ranges. All the mission objectives were met during the launches, read an official statement. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to 45 kms, it added.

All the flight articles (rockets) were tracked by range instruments including Telemetry, Radar and Electro Optical Tracking System deployed by ITR, and Proof and Experimental Establishment.

The rocket system has been developed jointly by Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) with manufacturing support from M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur. The development of enhanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance.

Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, congratulated DRDO and the industry on successful launch of Enhanced Pinaka Rockets. Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO, commended the efforts of the teams involved in the successful trials.

On November 4, 2020, an important milestone was reached by the private industry in the field of ammunition development and manufacturing. Six Pinaka enhanced rockets manufactured at Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur and co-developed with DRDO were successfully test-fired at ITR, Balasore.

Now, after seven months since then, successful test-firing of extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket has been carried out.

Pinaka rockets were designed more than 20 years ago by ARDE and HEMRL laboratories of DRDO. In last few years, Pinaka enhanced rockets have been co-developed under a development-cum-production partner model with EEL, Nagpur. The Mk-1 enhanced rockets have 25 per cent more range (47.5 km from 37.5 km) and 5 years extra shelf-life (15 years against 10 years) than the earlier developed Mk-1 rockets. These also have a superior construction technique with changed propellant casting, which leads to better reliability.

In 2017, Defence Acquisition Council had cleared a proposal to buy Mk-1 rockets from private sector.

The Indian Army was awaiting development of Pinaka Mk-1 enhanced rocket at EEL. The company is making all variants of Pinaka rockets at its composite manufacturing facility at Nagpur. Last year, it was also executing an order for Pinaka guided extended range rocket, which was dubbed as a strategic game-changer for the country.

EEL entered defence and aerospace sector about 10 years ago. It makes high technology missiles, space rockets, as well as other munitions. EEL also had signed a contract to supply 1 million modern multi-mode hand grenades for

the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.