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