DRDO Successfully Tests Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120): Complete Details and Defence Significance
Date of Test: 29 December 2025
Test Location: Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha
Range Achieved: 120 km
India achieved a significant milestone in indigenous defence capability as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120). The test reinforces India’s ongoing efforts under Aatmanirbhar Bharat to upgrade precision strike systems and strengthen long-range artillery firepower.The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) is a major advancement in India’s precision-guided artillery systems. As the newest Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket model, it extends strike capability to 120 km with high accuracy and in-flight correction. This successful test demonstrates the future of indigenous long-range guided rocket systems for the Indian Army.
What Is the Pinaka LRGR 120?
The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket is the latest upgrade to India’s Pinaka rocket artillery system. It is designed for extended-range strike operations and improved accuracy using advanced guidance and in-flight correction systems.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided Artillery Rocket |
| Maximum Range | 120 km |
| Launch Platform | Existing in-service Pinaka launcher |
| Accuracy | High precision with path correction |
| Intended Role | Deep strike, battlefield suppression, border posture, mountain warfare |
The key advantage is that this new variant can be fired from the same launchers already in service with the Army, making the system cost-effective and logistically efficient.
Development Agencies
The LRGR 120 rocket is the result of collaboration between several DRDO establishments:
Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) – Core design and configuration
High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) – Propulsion and energetic materials
Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) – Integration support
Research Centre Imarat (RCI) – Guidance and avionics systems
Integrated Test Range (ITR) & Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) – Testing and validation
Highlights of the Maiden Test
Conducted at maximum range of 120 km
Demonstrated all programmed in-flight manoeuvres
Tracked continuously throughout the flight
Hit the designated target with accuracy termed as “textbook precision”
Confirmed compatibility with in-service Pinaka launchers
Enhances operational flexibility and deployment speed
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commended DRDO’s achievement, stating that such developments are a game changer in strengthening the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
Why the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket Test Matters for India
The LRGR 120 significantly enhances India’s long-range artillery doctrine. It contributes to:
Improved border deterrence
Greater firepower for mountain strike corps
Higher stand-off distance, reducing risk to personnel
Balanced counter to adversaries’ long-range systems
Reduced dependence on imported guided rockets
In an era of precision warfare, this system supports India’s requirement for fast, accurate, high-impact responses across frontiers.
Strategic Significance of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket
India’s defence modernisation roadmap is moving from volume-based firing to precision-based engagement. Platforms like the Pinaka LRGR indicate a shift towards technology-driven battlefield accomplishments.
This rocket is particularly critical for:
High altitude operations along the northern borders
Rapid-response missions in conflict escalation scenarios
Network-enabled warfare and surveillance-guided targeting
The successful test aligns with India’s long-term objective of building a resilient, indigenous, export-capable defence ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket
What is the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket?
The Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket is a DRDO-developed precision artillery rocket with a range of up to 120 km, designed for accurate deep strike capability.
What is the range of the LRGR 120?
The LRGR 120 variant of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket can strike targets up to 120 km away.
Where was the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket tested?
DRDO conducted the maiden test at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha on 29 December 2025.
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