To counter any threat arising across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Pinaka and Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS) has been deployed by the Indian Army at a forward position near the China border.
Earlier, the upgraded vintage L-70 air defence guns were deployed by the force along with Bofors and M777 howitzer. In the previous month, the vintage L-70 anti-aircraft gun was reported to be converted into a “drone killer”.
All about the Pinaka weapon system
The system is capable of engaging area targets up to 38km at the mean sea level while it is an autonomous rocket artillery system. The deep strike capability of the weapon system is augmented as the ranges are enhanced at these altitudes significantly.
A salvo of 72 rockets can be easily fired by a battery of six launchers of Pinaka within 44 seconds which is capable of neutralizing an area of 1000m by 800m.
As per an Army official, the Pinaka weapon system is a state of art and completely autonomous weapon system. The indigenous multi rocket launcher system is designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and can neutralize targets up to 38kms.
Advantages of Pinaka
The delivery of a very high volume of firepower on critical and time-sensitive enemy targets is ensured in a very short time by the quick reaction time and the high accuracy of the Pinaka and Smerch weapon systems.
Equipped with a maximum range of around 90 km, the Smerch system is the longest range conventional rocket system in Indian army inventory. a salvo of 48 rockets can be fired by a battery of four launchers in just 40 seconds thereby neutralising an area of 1200m by 1200m.
Features of the weapon systems
The official said that as the Smerch weapon is based on a 10 by 10 Tatra, it becomes extremely mobile and the weapon can fire up to a range of 90 Kilometres. With 12 tubes in the cluster, 12 rockets can be fired within 40 seconds while there are no issues about mobility in any sort of terrain. The launcher is considered to be a very potent weapon in the arsenal of Indian artillery.
Both of these weapon systems are designed to fire a variety of ammunition like high explosives and submunitions against area targets while Pinaka is named after the bow of the Hindu god Shiva.
With superior precision, the upgraded version of the Pinaka ammunition system can fire up to a range of 75 km and is already on the production line. This will significantly enhance the existing capability manifolds.