After Air-launched Version Now Ship-launched Version of Pinaka

Air-launched/Ship-launched Version of Pinaka

The Pinaka MLRS looks set to become the golden goose of the Indian defense industry. Unlike the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile which is very costly; Pinaka with a 300 km range variant (if developed) at a fraction of cost, might well do the same job although what a single Brahmos could do; at least 6 Pinaka MLRS needs to be fired at 300 km range to achieve the same result. While India needs to take care of MTCR regulations to export Brahmos to other countries like the Philippines (deal done), Indonesia, and Vietnam (deal expected), India won’t need to worry about MTCR to export Pinaka to other countries like Armenia (deal done), France, Greece, Morrocco (deal expected).

I had predicted way back in 2023 that India needs to develop an air-launched variant of Pinaka for use by the Indian Air Force. Thankfully the good guys of DRDO either read my blog on air-launched Pinaka or someone fed the idea to them and that could become a reality as early as 2026. However, I would like to accept that I had in mind a thought that Pinaka MLRS could also be developed for use by the Indian Navy. However, honestly, I was in doubt about how it be used, either as a ship-launched anti-ship rocket or land land-launched anti-ship variant. As I was not sure, so I didn’t put forward the idea, in my previous blog.

However, I can read the news that not only an air-launched air-to-surface guided MLRS variant will be developed; but also, a ship-launched (frigate preferably) guided anti-submarine variant will be developed. It will be developed to take out enemy submarines at the maximum ranges of 70 km or 120 km. This is well outside the range of a standard torpedo fired from a submarine which is generally 50 to 60 kms. However, it still doesn’t save a ship that can be hit by anti-ship submarine-launched cruise missiles that have an average 150 km to 300 km range.

It remains to be seen if a 150 km or 300 km anti-submarine guided Pinaka variant is developed or not. What is known for certain, however, is that; the ship-launched (frigate preferably) guided anti-submarine Pinaka variant with maximum ranges of 70 kms or 120 kms will be developed to replace the long-serving legendary Russian RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket system. This ship-launched (frigate preferably) guided anti-submarine Pinaka variant will be a marked improvement over the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket system which has a range of average of 8-10 km only.

It also needs to be noted, that while the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket system is deployed on a warship in a pair of 2 in the front section of the ship, in all likelihood the guided anti-submarine Pinaka variant with maximum ranges of 70 km or 120 km will be deployed in a cell amidship with a cassette of 12 to 24 rockets. However, it is not yet known whether a land-launched anti-ship variant will be developed or not. Even if developed, what will be the range is still a wild guess. If developed it will used by the Indian Navy for coastal defense and deployed in important locations on the shoreline of the Indian mainland as well as in the island chains of Lakshadweep, Andaman, and Nicobar.

I am hoping that all variants of Pinaka MLRS developed by DRDO find export customers across the world. The comparison between the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket system and ship-launched (frigate preferably) guided anti-submarine Pinaka is as follows. Pinaka was developed by orders of MoD from 1986 onwards for INR₹26.47 crore (equivalent to ₹360 crores or US$42 million in 2023) to replace the legendary Russia/Soviet Union supplied BM-21 Grad MBRL that fired as many as 40 rockets in a single salvo. Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) was appointed as the System Coordinator for the project. The project also included 7 other laboratories of DRDO like Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), and Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).

Economic Explosive Ltd. (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL), are the 2 main Pinaka rocket makers, while launcher manufacturers are Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). RBU-6000 is a Russian system in use in numerous ship classes of Russia since 1961. India has been locally manufacturing these rockets under Transfer of Technology (ToT) and has even developed advanced variants. RBU-6000 on its part has given yomen service to the Indian Navy since it was inducted over 40 years ago. The land-launched Pinaka anti-ship variants are expected to be installed atop their regular mobile launchers for better results or fired from land-fixed launchers remains to be seen, once a decision is taken regarding that.

Do note, that RBU-6000 rockets are a set 12 rockets whereas the land-based mobile launcher-based Pinaka rockets too are launched in a set of 12; and are longer, heavier, and carry a bigger warhead than RBU-6000 rockets. So, the former will be able to deliver more firepower at incredibly longer ranges at a much faster pace any day. Let’s hope the Pinaka MLRS as a replacement to the RBU-6000 rocket system also lives up to its name and reputation. The time is ripe for taking a technological leap forward for better results.

RBU-6000 Anti-Submarine Rocket System

Pinaka Rocket System