Indian Army To Raise Four New Pinaka Regiments, Reinforcing Deep-Strike Artillery Capabilities

The Indian Army is set to induct four additional regiments of the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system.

Two of these are currently undergoing troop training and are expected to become operational in the coming months, while equipment for the remaining two regiments is slated for delivery by the end of 2025, reported The New Indian Express.

“The training of the troops is underway for the two regiments which will be fully operational in next few months,” a source in the defence and security establishment was quoted as saying by TNIE.

“We are also expecting that the launchers, equipment and systems for the remaining two units will be delivered by end of this year and if everything goes as planned, they will become operational in the first half of 2026,” the source added.

Currently, six Pinaka regiments are deployed along India’s borders with China and Pakistan.

With the addition of the four new regiments, the number will increase to eight by the end of 2025 and is expected to reach ten by mid-2026.

Each regiment comprises three batteries, with every battery operating six launchers. A single battery can unleash 72 rockets in just 44 seconds, saturating an area of nearly 1000 by 800 metres.

Designed by the DRDO, Pinaka is set to become the cornerstone of the Army’s rocket artillery, gradually replacing the ageing Russian BM-21 Grad systems.

It boasts a range of 38 km at sea level, with even greater reach in mountainous regions.

The Ministry of Defence had signed contracts worth Rs 2,580 crore in 2020 with BEML, TPCL and L&T to supply 114 launchers, 45 command posts, and 330 support vehicles for six regiments, two of which were raised last year.

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