DRDO Tests 60-km Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) on 8 July 2026 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum strike range of 60 km and completed all planned in-flight manoeuvres before hitting the designated target.

Pinaka Rocket System

Pinaka is an indigenous multi-barrel rocket launcher system developed for the Indian Army. The system uses a launcher platform that can fire different variants of the Pinaka rocket family, which allows common launcher compatibility across multiple rocket types.

Design and Development Agencies

The Pinaka LRGR was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). The development effort also involved the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), which are DRDO laboratories associated with missile and propulsion technologies.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Integrated Test Range at Chandipur is a major Indian missile and weapon test facility on the east coast of Odisha.
• The Pinaka LRGR test used an in-service Pinaka launcher, which is relevant for launcher commonality in the field.
• The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) had its maiden flight test in December 2025 for a maximum range of 120 km.
• The Indian Army operates around six to seven Pinaka rocket launcher regiments and plans to expand the force structure further.

Operational Range and Force Structure

The latest test covered a minimum strike range of 60 km, while the earlier LRGR 120 test covered a maximum range of 120 km. The Indian Army currently operates around six to seven Pinaka rocket launcher regiments, with plans to expand to 10 regiments by the end of 2026 and to 22 regiments in the long term.

Institutional Oversight

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Army, and industry partners after the trial. Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh monitored the test at Chandipur.