India test-fires multi-barrel rocket 'Pinaka'
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 28, IRNA
India-Missile
India Thursday test-fired the indigenously developed multi-barrel rocket named 'Pinaka', from Proof and Experimental Establishment (P and E) of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at Chandipur-on-Sea near Balasore in Orissa.
Defense sources told Press trust of India, two rounds of 'Pinaka' were test fired between 12:15 hours and 12:45 hours local time.
The 10-feet long ground target mobile launch artillery rocket has been designed and developed at the Armament Research and Development Establishment in Pune.
Pinaka, which has undergone several tough tests since 1995, had been inducted into the armed forces.
However, today's trial is said to be aimed at improving the entire system and sub-system of rockets developed by the DRDO.
The sophisticated rocket is an area weapon system aimed at supplementing the existing artillery guns at a range beyond 30 kilometers. Its quick reaction time and high rate of fire gives the Indian army an edge during low intensity war-like situations.
Earlier, the Indian Army was solely dependent upon foreign countries, mainly Russia, for the multi-barrel rocket launcher system, the sources told PTI.
The unguided rocket system, which was test fired here was meant to neutralize a bigger geographical area with its rapid salvo of rockets.
Having a range of 30 km, Pinaka can fire a salvo of (12 rockets) from the battery of six launchers can neutralize a target area of 3.9 sq km at a time.
Its capabilities to get fitted with different types of warhead rendered it deadly for the enemy as it could even destroy their solid structures and bunkers, the sources.
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::IRNA No.043 28/04/2005 14:29 --End
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