Shrinivasan wrote:Pinaka MBRL:
after multiple rounds of trials which were all deemed success, we are not seeing any news on induction. Recently in a fire power demonstration in Deolali, Corps of Arty did not even showcase the Pinaka. hopefully we are not shutting the door to an excellent indigenous product in the relentless pursuit of unobtainums
News from March 25,2013-
http://www.brahmand.com/news/Govt-clear ... /1/10.html[/url]
NEW DELHI (PTI): To enhance Indian Army's firepower, the government has approved a Rs 1,500 crore proposal for production of more than 2,000 rockets for the Pinaka multi- barrel weapons system.
The Army requires more than 2,000 of these rockets to equip its 10-12 regiments comprising the Pinaka launchers.
......
As per the proposal, OFB, under the Department of Defence Production, will upgrade facilities at nine of its factories engaged in the production of Pinaka rockets, they said.
News from June 2013:
ARDE’s Pinaka rocket system generates Rs 2,500 crore business http://www.sakaaltimes.com/NewsDetails. ... 2991450863
PUNE: Business worth nearly Rs 2,500 crore has been generated in the domestic market from the production of indigenously developed Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system within first three years of its production.
“The Army has begun placing orders for Pinaka MBRL for its artillery regiment. We designed the Pinaka system and it was successfully deployed in the Kargil war. Large companies like Larsen and Toubro, Tata and 15 small industries have got together to produce Pinaka MBRL along with ordnance factories,” Director of ARDE Anil Datar told Sakal Times.
“There is more requirement for this rocket system. At present, the ordnance factories are producing around 1,000 rockets per year. The Central Government has released Rs 1,800 crore upgrading the ordnance factories for enhancing the production. Once this happens, the business generated will shoot up,” Datar said.
Meanwhile, the ARDE has already begun working on the advanced version of the Pinaka MBRL, which has been christened as Pinaka MK-II.
“This new version will have a range of 60 plus km, against the 40 km range of the existing Pinaka system for greater effectiveness,” scientist ‘G’ ARDE, K M Rajan said.
In short, Pinaka Mk1 is in production and in service for few years now. Currently the enhanced version Mk.2 is undergoing user trails. They will be inducted once its done. BTW, as far as I know there is no change in the launcher system its only the rockets that are enhanced. There is big discussion on Pinaka in previous arty dhaga around Jan'2013.
Then why didn't Army fire Pinaka in their firepower demonstration? No idea, might be good Q to ask some chaiwalas.