The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) on Monday at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 kilometres and struck the target with what officials described as “textbook precision.” 

According to the defence ministry, the rocket was launched from an in-service Pinaka launcher and demonstrated all the planned in-flight manoeuvres during the trial. The successful test marks an important milestone in enhancing the strike capability of the Indian armed forces. 

“The maiden flight test of Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) was conducted successfully at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur today,” the defence ministry said in an official statement. 

During the test, all the deployed range instruments closely tracked the rocket throughout its entire flight path. The ministry confirmed that the LRGR performed as expected and accurately hit the intended target. “The LRGR impacted the target with ‘textbook precision’,” the statement added. 

Officials also highlighted that the rocket was launched using an in-service Pinaka launcher, showcasing its operational flexibility. The launch demonstrated the ability of the same Pinaka launcher to fire different variants of rockets with varying ranges. This feature enhances the system’s versatility and operational readiness on the battlefield. 

“The LRGR was launched from the in-service Pinaka launcher demonstrating its versatility and providing launch capability of Pinaka variants of different range from the same launcher,” officials said. 

The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket has been designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a laboratory under the DRDO. The development was carried out in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), with additional support from the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI), the ministry said. 

The flight trial was coordinated by the Integrated Test Range and the Proof & Experimental Establishment, ensuring smooth execution and monitoring of the test. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and the teams involved in the successful trial. He praised the achievement and highlighted its significance for India’s defence preparedness. 

He said the successful design and development of long-range guided rockets would boost the capabilities of the armed forces, calling it a “game changer,” according to the defence ministry. 

Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat was present during the trial. He witnessed the launch and congratulated all the teams for successfully achieving the mission objectives. 

The successful maiden test of the Pinaka LRGR 120 is seen as a major step forward in strengthening India’s indigenous defence systems and enhancing long-range precision strike capabilities.