Pinaka
Notes: The
Pinaka (also spelled Pinacha) is an Indian multiple rocket launcher mounted on a
Tatra T815 Kolos heavy 8x8 truck., and based on the BM-21 Grad MRL.
The Indian Army needed a longer-ranged MRL, along with one capable of
firing at extreme elevation to clear enemy strongpoints and units on mountains
and plateaus. Initially a Grad
firing longer-ranged rockets, the Pinaka quickly became a distinct model of MRL.
Development began in 1986 and final testing ended in 1992, with large-scale
deployment beginning shortly thereafter
The Pinaka is still in service today, though it supplements rather than
replaces the Grad and other Indian MRLs.
Pinaka I
The Pinaka’s
fire control is advanced, with computerized land navigation, target acquisition,
and laying, and the vehicle may operate independently of an FDC.
The computer takes into account wind, weather, elevation, and target
motion, to produce very accurate fire.
The launcher can be uses in four modes: Autonomous mode, where the
launcher works directly off the input of the FDC and the Pinaka crew gives only
a go/no go authorization – the Pinaka’s firing functions are essentially taken
over by the FDC, and the crew does not even need to be in the Pinaka.
Standd-Alone Mode is essentially the standard firing mode where the
vehicle crew and fire control equipment fire the rockets.
In Remote Mode, Initial settings are put on the fire control computer,
and the firing crew pouts the final conditions on the launcher and fires the
launcher via an up 200-meter radio
remote link. This link can also be
used to unload and reload the pods on the vehicle.
In Manual Mode, used when one or more components are not working, the
gunner sets all firing instructions via his launching board in the cab and
possibly fires each rocket manually.
This is considered an emergency mode type only.
In a full
ripple, 12 rounds may be fired in 44 seconds.
Standalone most is normally used, and once the coordinates and range are
set, the launcher slews into position to fire the requested fire mission within
10 seconds. Most of the fire control commands may be entered before the Pinaka
comes to a halt, allowing a small amount of settings to be finalized and the
launcher to go into firing position.
The rockets are used in pods of six, with two pods per vehicle.
The Kolos truck,
in this role, has an NBC overpressure system for the cab.
The cabin can also be pressurized for use in high altitude terrain, and
also has a heater and air conditioner with NBC filters.
The cab is extended and lightly-armored; the missile boxes are also
lightly armored. The crew normally has NODs, including a hand-held thermal
imager for the commander. The cab has two rows of seats, behind which is a space
for radios, dire control gear, and personal gear and things like personal small
arms and weapons.
The Kolos
chassis is essentially standard at its base but modified for use with the Pinaka
launcher The engine is also
modified, being turbo/supercharged for operation at high altitude. It has a
327-horsepower capacity, with the drive train having other advanced features
such as power steering and brakes, automatic transmission, a fuel and oil
preheater, antilock brakes, and a locking differential.
The Pinaka also has a vehicle state computer, a positioning and mapping
computer, with appropriate LCD screens for crewmembers who apply.
Pinaka batteries
normally contain counterbattery and ground-surveillance radars to facilitate
long-range fire. If a fix is
received via one of these radars, scattering distances are halved.
Pinaka II
The Pinaka II is
a quantum leap in the capabilities in the Pinaka – though it can fire standard
Pinaka rockets, it normally fires GPS-guided missiles instead. The fire control
system of the Pinaka is replaced with a modernized set.
This system was developed in conjunction with Sagem of Israel.
The Pinaka II’s rockets also have an expanded selection of warheads,
including one which fires a set of UAVs.
From the exterior, the Pinaka II looks virtually identical to the Pinaka
I (though the noises of the rockets are a bit different), but inside the cab,
the Pinaka II is very different. The Pinaka II entered service in 2010, though
the ABML missiles did not enter service until 2019. The Pinaka II is often
referred to by India as an ABML (Advanced Ballistic Missile Launcher). The
Pinaka II also has a vehicle state computer, a positioning and mapping computer,
and a full BMS, with appropriate LCD screens for all crewmembers.
Twilight 2000
Notes: The Pinaka I was first used in action against the Pakistani Army in 1997,
the Pinaka II existed only as a single prototype at the time of the beginning of
the war, and no others appear to have been made. The one functioning Pinaka II
is reportedly being used in the defensive forces of Mumbai, though the
capability of making its advanced missiles is gone, and it is now firing rather
crude versions of Pinaka I rockets.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Pinaka I |
$659,287 |
D, G, AvG, A |
816 kg |
21.8 tons |
5 |
17 |
Headlights |
Shielded |
Pinaka II |
$753,819 |
D, G, AvG, A |
821 kg |
21.8 tons |
5 |
18 |
Headlights |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
Pinaka I/II |
127/64 |
35/18 |
460 |
120 |
Stnd |
W(4) |
TF2 TS2
TR2 HF2
HS2 HR2 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Pinaka I |
None |
None |
12-round 214mm Rocket Launcher |
12x214mm Pinaka I or Pinaka II Rockets |
Pinaka II |
None |
None |
12-round 214mm Rocket/Missile Launcher |
12x214mm Pinaka I or Pinaka II Rockets, or ABML missiles |