Context
Pinaka rockets, with a guidance system and an enhanced range, were successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipurin Odisha
The improvement: Pinaka Mark II
The earlier Pinaka version (Mark I), which was an unguided one, has now been transformed into a guided version, with a navigation, guidance and control kit developed by the Research Centre, Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
- The RCI comes under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Longer range
The conversion has helped in enhancing the range and accuracy of Pinaka. If its range was earlier 40 km, it is more than 70 km now
Significance
- Showcases Technological prowess: The success of the guided Pinaka has reinforced the technological strength of the country in converting the unguided systems into weapons of high precision
Developed by
The guided Pinaka was developed jointly by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, the RCI, and the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. The ITR, Chandipur, provided the range and launch support
