DRDO flight-tests Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket at Chandipur
DRDO successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, on 8 July 2026, for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km.
Summary
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha, on 8 July 2026. The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km, carried out all planned in-flight manoeuvres and hit the target along the predicted trajectory. The LRGR is designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, supported by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat; ITR and the Proof & Experimental Establishment coordinated the trial. The rocket was fired from the in-service Pinaka launcher, showing that Pinaka variants of different ranges can be launched from the same launcher. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh called it a major milestone in indigenous long-range guided rockets.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 8 July 2026, Integrated Test Range, Chandipur (Odisha)
- Range tested
- User-defined minimum range of 60 km
- Designed by
- ARDE with HEMRL; support from DRDL and RCI
- Trial coordinated by
- ITR and Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE)
- Launcher
- In-service Pinaka launcher
- DRDO Chairman
- Rajesh Kumar Singh (also Defence Secretary)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where did DRDO flight-test the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket on 8 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
The LRGR was flight-tested at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
Which DRDO laboratory designed the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, in association with HEMRL?
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Correct answer: D — Armament Research and Development Establishment
PIB says the LRGR is designed by ARDE in association with HEMRL; DRDL and RCI supported, and PXE coordinated the trial with ITR.
Consider the following statements about the Pinaka LRGR test of 8 July 2026: 1. The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km. 2. The rocket was fired from a newly built dedicated launcher. 3. The trial was coordinated by ITR and the Proof & Experimental Establishment. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the rocket was fired from the in-service Pinaka launcher.