New Delhi | India’s defence modernisation received a major boost as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has begun developing the Pinaka Mark-4 guided rocket, a next-generation system capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometres away with exceptional accuracy.
According to defence sources, the new rocket will deliver near-cruise-missile precision, with an estimated Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under 3 metres. Yet, despite its advanced capabilities, the Mark-4 will cost only 25% of a typical cruise missile, making it a highly economical long-range strike option for the Indian Armed Forces.
Officials say this cost-efficiency will allow the Army to conduct high-volume saturation strikes, overwhelming enemy air-defence systems. Its price will be significantly lower than high-end weapons like BrahMos or Pralay, enabling deeper stockpiles and more flexible battlefield use.
Unpredictable Flight Path Will Evade Enemy Radars
Unlike most existing guided rockets that follow a fixed trajectory, the Pinaka Mark-4 is being engineered to change direction mid-flight, both during ascent and descent. This unpredictable manoeuvrability will make it extremely difficult for enemy radars to detect, track, or intercept the rocket.
While traditional guided rockets rely on accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, and radar to follow a set path, the Mark-4 will perform sudden vertical and lateral manoeuvres—climbing sharply, dipping, or shifting left and right—confusing air-defence operators and reducing interception chances to near zero.
Advanced Multi-Layered Guidance Suite
The new rocket will feature an integrated guidance package combining:
- Inertial navigation systems
- GPS
- IRNSS (Indian Navigation Satellite System)
- Millimetre-wave seeker technology
- The millimetre-wave seeker will ensure accurate terminal guidance even during radar jamming, electronic warfare, or poor visibility. With this system, the Mark-4 is expected to achieve under 10-metre accuracy against moving and fortified targets.
High Destructive Power and Rapid Fire Capability
The rocket will carry a 250-kg warhead, and the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system can fire 12 rockets in just 44 seconds, providing a devastating salvo that can overwhelm enemy defences and neutralise large target areas quickly.
Naval Variant Under Development
DRDO is also working on a naval version of the Mark-4. The Indian Navy plans to deploy this variant by 2030 for coastal and anti-ship operations. Once operational, it will significantly enhance India’s maritime strike capabilities against hostile vessels and fast-moving targets near the shore.
The development of the Pinaka Mark-4 marks another step in India’s growing precision-strike ecosystem as the country continues to expand indigenous, cost-effective, and high-impact offensive capabilities across land and sea.
