Approval has been granted for the purchase of pre-fragmented munition.
New Delhi: The Indian Army is set to receive area denial munition for rockets for the first time. As the name suggests, this munition can block the enemy’s access in a selected area. The army already had such munition for artillery guns, but now it will receive this type of munition for rockets for the first time.
Additionally, for the first time, indigenously developed pre-fragmented munition will also be available for rockets. The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the purchase of this munition for the army’s Pinaka rocket system.
The rocket will launch anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. The area denial munition that the army will receive is capable of reaching a range of up to 37 km when fired from a rocket. This munition will release several minelets, which will act as small mines. Once fired, it will lay multiple mines in a selected area.
These can be anti-tank mines as well as anti-personnel mines. When an enemy tank or personnel passes by, these small mines will explode and prevent the enemy from advancing. The army had such ammunition to be fired from artillery guns, but for the first time, it will also be fired from rockets.
More lethal indigenous munition
Approval has also been granted for the purchase of pre-fragmented munition for the army. Whenever a shell is fired into enemy territory, it breaks into several pieces and has a different pattern of fragmentation. Its demolition power depends on the size in which it breaks.
Pre-fragmented munition is designed in such a way that it breaks into the same shape after being fired, which is more lethal. The army already had this kind of pre-fragmented munition, but now the army will receive indigenous munition.
The Pinaka rocket system is indigenous. Each Pinaka rocket launcher has 12 rockets. A battery of Pinaka consists of 6 vehicles, which means 72 rockets. A battery can fire 72 rockets in 44 seconds. The Indian Army currently has four regiments of Pinaka. Approval has been granted for 6 more regiments. It is expected that by the year 2027, the number of Pinaka regiments in the army will reach 10.
The Indian Army’s artillery includes both artillery guns and rocket systems. The range of rockets is greater than that of artillery guns. Therefore, the availability of area denial munition for rockets will enhance the army’s strength.
