What is the story about?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out the first flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120), a new step in extending the strike range of the Army’s Pinaka rocket system.
The test was conducted on Monday at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. “The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 km, demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned. The LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
What is the Pinaka long-range guided rocket (LRGR 120)?
The LRGR 120 is a guided variant of thePinaka rocket family. The number refers to its range - roughly 120 kilometres. This is already longer than the current operational versions - they reach about 80 kilometres.
Unlike earlier Pinaka rockets - which were largely unguided - this version uses a guidance system to improve its accuracy. The system itself is designed to engage a range of targets. This includes targets such as artillery positions, logistics nodes and command locations from long distances.
Where and how DRDO tested the Pinaka rocket
The rocket was fired from an existing in-service Pinaka launcher, meaning no new launch platform is required for induction. All range instrumentation tracked the rocket throughout the flight, officials said.
The test came on a day when theDefence Acquisition Counc il cleared a new set of procurement proposals worth about ₹79,000 crore.
These include loitering munitions, low-level lightweight radars, additional guided rocket ammunition for Pinaka, and the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mark-II.
The approvals cover the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Who developed the Pinaka LRGR, and what comes next
The LRGR was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, with support from the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and the Research Centre Imarat.
Officials said further evaluations will continue before the system moves towards a wider induction. For now, the test establishes that the extended-range, guided Pinaka variant can be launched from existing platforms and reach its intended range under controlled conditions.
How the Pinaka LRGR fits into the Army’s artillery plans
The LRGR is part of India’s push to add long-range precision firepower using indigenous systems.
Guidance is achieved through inertial navigation, along with mid-course updates and terminal correction. This reduces deviation at the point of impact compared to earlier variants. The result is a standoff strike option.
Launch units can operate farther from forward areas, which improves survivability in high-threat environments.
The rocket is intended for deployment across Army artillery regiments already operating the Pinaka system.
The test was conducted on Monday at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. “The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 km, demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned. The LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
What is the Pinaka long-range guided rocket (LRGR 120)?
The LRGR 120 is a guided variant of thePinaka rocket family. The number refers to its range - roughly 120 kilometres. This is already longer than the current operational versions - they reach about 80 kilometres.
Unlike earlier Pinaka rockets - which were largely unguided - this version uses a guidance system to improve its accuracy. The system itself is designed to engage a range of targets. This includes targets such as artillery positions, logistics nodes and command locations from long distances.
Where and how DRDO tested the Pinaka rocket
The rocket was fired from an existing in-service Pinaka launcher, meaning no new launch platform is required for induction. All range instrumentation tracked the rocket throughout the flight, officials said.
The test came on a day when theDefence Acquisition Counc il cleared a new set of procurement proposals worth about ₹79,000 crore.
These include loitering munitions, low-level lightweight radars, additional guided rocket ammunition for Pinaka, and the Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System Mark-II.
The approvals cover the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Who developed the Pinaka LRGR, and what comes next
The LRGR was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment, with support from the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and the Research Centre Imarat.
Officials said further evaluations will continue before the system moves towards a wider induction. For now, the test establishes that the extended-range, guided Pinaka variant can be launched from existing platforms and reach its intended range under controlled conditions.
How the Pinaka LRGR fits into the Army’s artillery plans
The LRGR is part of India’s push to add long-range precision firepower using indigenous systems.
Guidance is achieved through inertial navigation, along with mid-course updates and terminal correction. This reduces deviation at the point of impact compared to earlier variants. The result is a standoff strike option.
Launch units can operate farther from forward areas, which improves survivability in high-threat environments.
The rocket is intended for deployment across Army artillery regiments already operating the Pinaka system.
