Army boosts firepower with new Pinaka regiment along sensitive borders
India Today
India's artillery strength sees a steady build-up with new Pinaka regiments, but the bigger plan points to a much larger force and more advanced systems in the coming years.
The Indian Army has operationalised another regiment of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, taking the total number of such units to seven, as part of a wider push to strengthen its artillery firepower along sensitive borders.
These regiments, known for their lethal strike capabilities, are deployed along the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Actual Control, enhancing readiness in high-tension sectors.
Defence sources indicated that an eighth Pinaka regiment is currently being equipped and is expected to be inducted by the end of this year.
The expansion is set to continue beyond that, with two additional regiments likely to be inducted next year, which would take the total number to 10. Over the longer term, the Army plans to field 22 Pinaka regiments with more advanced and longer-range variants.
The expansion follows the June 2020 Galwan Valley standoff, after which the Army moved to accelerate artillery modernisation. Contracts worth around Rs 2,580 crore were signed with Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Tata Power SED, now part of Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, and Larsen & Toubro for six Pinaka regiments.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Pinaka system is India’s flagship multi-barrel rocket launcher.
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