Defence Ministry signs contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for Pinaka ammunition

The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher weapons system.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The Union Defence Ministry on Thursday (February 6, 2025) signed contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for a variety of ammunition for the Army’s Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS). The ammunition also enhance the range of the Pinaka systems.

Contracts were inked with Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) for the procurement of Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF)-Mk-1 (enhanced) rockets respectively for Pinaka MLRS at a total cost of ₹10,147 crore, a Ministry statement said.

In addition, a contract for upgrades in Shakti software has also been signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

The ADM Type-1 ammunition has a specialised warhead to deliver a quantum of sub-munitions over a larger area targeting mechanised forces, vehicles and personnel, thereby denying specific areas to the enemy, the statement said. HEPF-Mk-1 rockets are the advanced version of in-service HEPF rockets, which have enhanced range to strike deep into enemy territory with precision and lethality, it stated. “These advanced ADM (DPICM) and HEPF ammunition will play a crucial role in bolstering the Indian Army’s firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes.”

The upgraded Pinaka is going to be the mainstay of the Army’s long range rocket artillery. Last November, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the successful completion of flight tests of guided Pinaka rockets of 75 km paving the way for its induction doubling the original range. Work is on to enhance the range to 120 km and further to 300 km.

The fully automated 214-mm Pinaka MLRS battery can deliver a salvo of 72 rockets on the target up to 75 km in 44 seconds. The Army has four Pinaka regiments in service and six more are on order.

Beyond enhancing national defence capabilities, these projects have immense potential of direct and indirect employment generation by encouraging the Indian MSME sector through components’ manufacturing, the Ministry added.