The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed two contracts worth Rs 10,147 crore to buy ammunition for the army’s indigenously developed PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
The contracts were signed with Nagpur-based private firm Economic Explosives Limited and Pune-based defence public sector undertaking Munitions India Limited (MIL) to enhance the Indian Army’s firepower.
A separate contract for software upgrades to the system was also signed with Navratna DPSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi.
“MoD has signed contracts with EEL and MIL for the procurement of Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets, respectively, for the PINAKA MLRS at a total cost of Rs 10,147 crore,” an official release stated.
“In addition, a contract for upgrades in SHAKTI Software has also been signed with BEL,” it stated.
“The area denial munition has a specialised warhead to deliver a quantum of sub-munitions over a larger area targeting mechanised forces, vehicles and personnel, thereby denying specific areas to the enemy. The rockets have enhanced range to strike deep into enemy territory with precision and lethality,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The procurement of ADM Type-1 (DPICM) and HEPF Mk-1 (E) rockets will mark a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Artillery Rocket Regiments,” the MoD release stated, adding that these “ammunition will play a crucial role in bolstering the Indian Army’s firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes.”
The Pinaka rocket system was among the weapons and equipment displayed by the army at the 76th Republic Day parade, alongside T-90 tanks, BMP-II Sarath infantry combat vehicles, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the BM-21 Agnibaan multiple-barrel rocket launcher, and the Akash weapon system.
The MoD stated that in addition to strengthening national defence capabilities, these projects have “immense potential of direct and indirect employment generation by encouraging the Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector through components manufacturing”.
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“The procurement marks a pivotal step towards modernising India’s defence infrastructure and empowering indigenous industries, which will be a proud flag-bearer of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) vision of the government,” the MoD stated.
