By Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)

It is reported in the media that France is considering acquiring India’s Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher. This follows its successful export to Armenia. While this is a welcome development, many will be wondering how this has happened and where do we go from here?  

The Pinaka is a multi-barrelled rocket launcher capable of firing twelve 210 mm rockets in 44 seconds upto 38 km. An improved version achieves a range of about 50km. Both can carry out destruction roles in tactical depths. The Guided Pinaka with a range of 80 km can carry out tasks in the operational depth with great accuracy. It is understood that the guided Pinaka has been successfully tested in the mountains.

In 2019, Pakistani media stated that “Pinaka is an artillery missile system capable of destroying 900 square metres at a 20–80-kilometre range by firing a salvo of 12 rockets within 48 seconds. The Pinaka Mk-II rocket is modified as a missile by integrating with the navigation, control and guidance system to improve the end accuracy and enhance the range. It is believed that the guided version of the Pinaka system is being developed in order to deliver nuclear warheads at short ranges”. The Pakis were worried even then.

Since then the Pinaka has been improved tremendously. It is now a robust system which can be deployed in the high altitudes and deserts. The Pinaka is invaluable where conventional tube Artillery cannot engage targets either due to limited range or mobility factors or both. Its area coverage and pinpoint accuracy enables precision engagement in tactical and operational depths. Its ability to bring down voluminous fire with accuracy and lethality makes it very potent.

The Pinaka provides us with credible and accurate long-range fire capability in case we must deter China by “Denial”.  It enables us to reach those targets in Tibet, which are inaccessible either due to poor road infrastructure or are out of reach of gun systems. One does not have to resort to longer/ heavier missiles or air force always. To that extent it is a weapon system which is ideal for conventional non-contact deterrence since it also enables escalation control. In case of conflict, it can be part of multi layered fires delivered from a compact of tube artillery, drones, rocket artillery, cruise missiles and fighter aircraft. Most importantly in the Himalayas, where air operations are fickle due to weather conditions, the Pinaka provides us with all weather capability. This is especially important for depth engagements and interdiction.

Against Pakistan, the Pinaka has given us the ability to execute conventional non-contact deterrence by “Punishment”. It enables surgical strikes to be carried out in depth by conventional methods whilst keeping the fragile Indo -Pak escalatory dynamics in view. For instance, the Balakot strike could well have been carried out by a Pinaka launcher with equal effect and less fuss. When combined with tube artillery the Pinaka is a tremendous force multiplier in cross LOC operations should the uneasy peace be disturbed by Pakistan there. Further we need to have a counter battery ability to destroy the much-touted NASR. The key for this again lies with an effective long-range guided rocket system.

The Russia – Ukraine and the West Asian conflicts wars have indicated the absolute necessity of nations needing voluminous capability of long-range rocket engagements. We have also witnessed the successful employment of the US HIMARS in battle. The guided PINAKA is the indigenous Indian equivalent. It is good.

Overall, it emerges that the Pinaka system can be employed in multiple roles. In fact, its role is very much like a midfielder in football or a middle order batsman in cricket. Anyone who has played these games will know that control of the midfield field/order is often the difference between victory and defeat. The Pinaka weapon system allows the operational commander to control the midfield in battle. As non-contact battle becomes the norm, the midfield assumes greater importance. No wonder the French are looking at it. No surprises.

However, we cannot sit on our haunches in a self-congratulatory mode. The indigenous guided Pinaka has a range of 80 km. This needs to be increased pronto. Using ram jet-propelled rockets, the range can be extended up 200-250 km in a reasonably quick time. For that to happen, a joint thought and approach is needed. Right now, that is missing. The very mechanism which was put in place to realise the guided Pinaka within a year from drawing board to first firing must be reconstituted. The SA to RM knows very well as to what I am talking about.  

Further, the Army needs to wipe some cobwebs away. Much before the Chinese threat materialised, as it has now, with its plethora of rockets and missiles, the Indian Army had planned to procure 22 regiments of Pinaka in a phased manner. However, as the Chinese threat increased, the Army, very inexplicably, reduced its requirements to 10 regiments. This operational somersault needs a rethink. China respects strength and an extended range Pinaka represents strength. In light of new deployments where rockets and missiles have taken centre stage in battle in recent conflicts, such capability is invaluable.  

The Pinaka is a completely indigenous system and dead cheap compared to any foreign buy. For once we own expensive ‘Technology’! Further by virtue of export earning, it is literally paying its way through. With some imagination and inventiveness, it can be suitably adopted for Naval and AF use too!

In such conditions why are we not maximising its potential? That is for the Raksha Mantri, The CDS, Three Service Chiefs and Secy DRDO to take note and ’theatrise’ their ‘Joint’ thought processes. My experience is that such non linear thinking is alien to us. That is the challenge I am throwing to the six mandarins of our defence establishment. Will they respond? Let me see.   

The author is former Director General Artillery, Indian Army and is currently Professor, Aerospace Department, IIT Madras.

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