ORDNANCE Factory Khamaria (OFK) has successfully refurbished life-expired warhead of Pechora missile system. Pechora is a Russian origin surface-to-air missile. The five indigenously refurbished warheads are undergoing trials at the Indian Air Force station in Chandigarh. Indian Air Force had inducted the imported Pechora missiles from Russia in the year 1974. Pechora is a surface to air weapon system which engages various enemy aerial targets, including un-manned aerial vehicles, helicopters and fighter aircraft. Pechora missile system remained primary means of air defence of the Indian Air Force for a long period.

 

Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Chief General Manager of OFK M N Haldar informed that refurbishment of any life-expired warhead is a challenging task. Indian Air Force had projected a requirement of refurbishment of Pechora warhead with indigenous explosive composition. Research and Development Branch of OFK accepted the challenging task and indigenously developed five warheads through reverse engineering.

 

The warhead has been developed with better fragmentation and composition. Refurbished warheads are undergoing trials for checking its technical parameters. CGM Haldar added that the Indian Air Force has more than 1,000 vintage Pechora missiles. Refurbishment of these missiles will not only improve the strength of IAF but also add to another indigenously developed weapon in the country. Once the trials of refurbished warheads are over, OFK may have bulk production order from the Indian Air Force.