The Indian armed forces currently possess 36 Pinaka multiple launch rocket systems, somewhat peculiar weapons. The most "exotic" characteristic is the non-standard caliber of 214 millimeters, which means the launcher can be loaded only with rockets or guided missiles of local, Indian production.
When the Indian defense industry was just starting developing the Pinaka MLRS in the early 1990s, the project was positioned as a counterpart to the Soviet BM-21 Grad. Until 2020, Pinaka was known to employ only unguided rockets with a range of fire up to 40 km or 60 km depending on the modification.
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Subsequently, reports surfaced in 2021 about India developing guided missiles for the Pinaka system, extending the firing range to 75 kilometers. Apparently, the development was successful: when the Indian mass media commented on the reports of possible sale of some Pinaka systems to Armenia, they already called these rocket launchers their "HIMARS analog." However, there is too little publicly available data yet to assess if that would be a correct comparison.
Nonetheless, recent news revealed that the Ministry of Defense of India has placed an order for 6,400 guided rockets for Pinaka systems, with an estimated value of USD 356 million.
Notably, the delivery deadline remains undisclosed. The only detail known is that the contract will be fulfilled by two private companies, Economic Explosives Limited and Munitions India Limited, both of which previously specialized in explosives for the mining industry.
And here's an interesting nuance. Considering the total value of the contract, one guided rocket for Pinaka comes at a roughly $56,000 price tag. In comparison, as of the end of 2022, the cost of GMLRS rockets used by HIMARS for the U.S. Army was $100,000 domestically and $222,000 for exports.
While the Indian "analog" appears to cost nearly half that of the American "original," we once again emphasize that a comprehensive comparison requires more input data. Especially about the electronic components used and possible pitfalls, such as a lack of capacity for the production of rocket engines or other nuances that the American defense industry has.
Secondly, we need to wait until the Indian defense industry completes the mentioned contract, so we can take into account the actual final cost of the product.
Despite these complexities, analyzing such examples provides valuable insights into how different countries worldwide are scaling up their weapons production, particularly in response to russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and what unusual situations emerge along this process.
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