India’s Rs 10,000 crore Domestic Ammunition Contract approved by CCS

India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has greenlit the country’s largest domestic ammunition contract, valued at ₹10,000 crore. The contract includes the production of enhanced-range Pinaka rockets and area denial munitions, which will be manufactured by Munitions India Ltd and Economic Explosives Ltd. With a range of up to 150 km, these advanced rockets will significantly enhance the Indian Army’s operational capabilities.

Image Credit: Pixabay

In a significant boost for India’s indigenous defense capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the procurement of ammunition worth over Rs 10,000 crore for the Indian Army’s Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems. This deal, which includes high-explosive ammunition and area denial munitions, marks a major success for India’s self-reliant defense efforts.

The approval, granted during a meeting on Wednesday, paves the way for a comprehensive project aimed at strengthening the Army’s firepower. The ammunition, including the crucial Area Denial Munitions (ADM) and the enhanced-range Pinaka rockets, will be produced by two key domestic manufacturers: Solar Industries from Nagpur and Munitions India Limited (MIL), a company that emerged from the former Ordnance Factory Board.

Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi had previously hinted at the expected clearance in his January 13 press conference. He mentioned that the government was likely to approve contracts worth approximately Rs 5,700 crore for high-explosive ammunition and Rs 4,500 crore for area denial munitions for the Pinaka systems. The CCS decision now brings these plans to fruition.

The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system has proven its mettle on the battlefield, with its long-range capability making it highly effective in operations along both the Pakistan and China borders. The current ammunition procurement deal covers Pinaka rockets with a range of around 45 kilometers, but there is more to come. The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively working on developing a longer-range version of the Pinaka, with a target strike range of 120 kilometers. This upgraded version is expected to undergo its first test in the next financial year.

The success of the Pinaka system extends beyond national borders. As one of India’s standout indigenous defense projects, the Pinaka has already gained international attention, with Armenia acquiring the system and several European countries, including France, expressing interest in its capabilities. This success story underscores India’s growing prowess in manufacturing advanced weaponry at home, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, and contributing to global defense markets.

The Indian Army is fully backing the Pinaka’s evolution. Gen. Dwivedi has made it clear that the Army is prepared to rely on the Pinaka as its primary multi-barrel rocket launcher system, particularly as longer-range variants become operational. With this, India is strengthening not only its defense posture but also its strategic self-sufficiency, reinforcing the country’s ambition to be a major player in the global defense arena.

In conclusion, the approval of the Pinaka ammunition project is a major milestone in India’s indigenous defense journey. It highlights the country’s growing capabilities in advanced weapon systems and signals a promising future for its defense industry.