Article Posted on : - Mar 30, 2012

A file photo.

BALASORE, ODISHA (PTI): India's multi barrel rocket launcher weapon system 'Pinaka' which could neutralise a large area with a rapid salvo of rockets was Thursday successfully test fired at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) at Chandipur about 15 km from here.

"It was a routine trial by army personnel and there were six rounds of successful test-fire today," an official of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said soon after the trial at the rocket firing pad.

Indigenously developed Pinaka is an unguided rocket and area weapon system aimed at supplementing the existing guns at a range beyond 30 km and is capable of acting as a force multiplier.

With a strike range of 40 km, Pinaka could fire a salvo of 12 rockets in just 44 seconds.

One salvo each of 12 rockets from a battery of six launchers could neutralise a target area of 3.9 square km at a time and could destroy solid structures and bunkers.

Its quick reaction time, accuracy and high rate of fire gave an edge to Indian armed forces during low intensity warlike situations.

The system's capabilities to incorporate several types of warheads also made it deadly for the enemy.