Defence Ministry signs deal with TPCL and L&T worth Rs 2,580 crore to procure Pinaka Rocket launchers

As per news source, the Defence Ministry has closed a deal worth Rs 2,580 crore with two leading domestic defence majors to procure Pinaka rocket launchers for six Army regiments. The news source mentioned that the Pinaka regiments will be deployed along India's border with China and Pakistan to further enhance operational preparedness of the armed forces.

The Ministry has has signed the deal with Tata Power Company Ltd (TPCL) and engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) while defence public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) will also be part of the project. BEML will provide the vehicles on which the rocket launchers will be mounted.

In a statement, the defence ministry said the six Pinaka regiments comprise 114 launchers with Automated Gun Aiming and Positioning System (AGAPS) and 45 command posts. It said the missile regiments are planned to be operationalised by 2024.

The statement also said that the weapon systems will have 70% of indigenous content. The project has been approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. DRDO has designed and developed the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

"This is a flagship project showcasing public private partnership under the aegis of government of India (DRDO & MoD) enabling 'Aatmanirbharta' in cutting edge defence technologies," the ministry said.