India successfully tests Pinaka guided rocket, hits target with textbook precision

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Jul 8, 2026 20:51 IST

India on Wednesday successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR), with the Defence Ministry saying the trial met all planned objectives. The test was carried out at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur, for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km.

The ministry said the rocket followed the predicted trajectory and hit the target with "textbook precision". The trial also showed that different Pinaka variants of varying ranges can be launched from the same in-service Pinaka launcher.

"The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur on July 8," the defence ministry said.

Officials added the LRGR demonstrated all in-flight manoeuvres as planned, while deployed range instruments tracked the flight throughout its trajectory.

The Pinaka LRGR has been designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, with support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat.

"The flight trial was coordinated by ITR and Proof & Experimental Establishment. The rocket was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher demonstrating its versatility and providing launch capability of Pinaka variants of different ranges from the same launcher," the ministry said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Army and the industry on the successful flight test. He described it as a "major milestone" in indigenous design and development capability for long-range guided rockets.

Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Rajesh Kumar Singh closely monitored the trials and complimented all the teams associated with the successful test, the ministry said. The flight test marked a successful trial of the Pinaka LRGR, with the ministry highlighting its precision, planned manoeuvres and the launcher’s ability to fire different variants.

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