DRDO conducts successful flight-test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket

📌 Summary:

• DRDO successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha on 8 July 2026
• Rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km; performed all in-flight manoeuvres and hit the target with precision along the predicted trajectory
• Designed by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), supported by DRDL and Research Centre Imarat (RCI); trial coordinated by ITR and Proof & Experimental Establishment
• Launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher — same launcher can fire Pinaka variants of different ranges, demonstrating versatility
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh called it a major milestone in indigenous design and development of long-range guided rockets

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 S&T/Defence — indigenisation of defence R&D (Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence), artillery rocket modernisation of the Indian Army

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Pinaka LRGR tested at ITR Chandipur (Odisha); minimum range tested: 60 km
• Designer: ARDE (Pune) with HEMRL; support from DRDL and RCI
• Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher system named after Lord Shiva's bow; DRDO Chairman: Rajesh Kumar Singh

🔑 Key Term: Pinaka LRGR — guided, extended-range variant of the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, fired from the existing in-service launcher