Defence ministry inks Rs 2,850 crore deal with Tata, L&T to procure Pinaka rocket launchers
- The Pinaka rocket launchers, procured for six Army regiments, will be deployed along China and Pakistan borders
- The missile regiments are planned to be made operational by 2024
- 70% of the contents of the rockets will be manufactured indigenously
In a new bid for the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), the defence ministry on Monday sealed a deal worth Rs 2,850 crore with two leading domestic defence majors, Tata Power Company Ltd (TPCL) and engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T), to procure Pinaka rocket launchers for six Army regiments, officials said.
The Pinaka rockets will be deployed along India’s border with China and Pakistan to enhance the preparedness of armed forces. The missile regiments are planned to be made operational by 2024, the defence ministry said in a statement. The six Pinaka regiments comprise 114 launchers, with Automated Gun Aiming and Positioning System (AGAPS) and 45 command posts, it said.
The project has been approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and 70% of the contents of the rockets will be manufactured by Indian companies. The Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The defence ministry has signed the contract with TPCL and engineering major Larsen & Toubro L&T while defence public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML). The BEML will supply the vehicles on which the rocket launchers will be mounted.
“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.
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