DRDO's ARDE to Develop 300km Naval Pinaka Mk-IV for Coastal Defense
The DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) is developing a naval variant of the Pinaka Mk-IV, a 300km-range guided rocket aimed at enhancing India’s coastal defense capabilities against sea-based threats. This advanced system, leveraging technologies from the Pralay missile, allows precision strikes on small and medium vessels, thereby strengthening the Indian Navy’s maritime strike potential. The Pinaka Mk-IV’s rapid launch capabilities and cost-effectiveness position it as a viable alternative to more expensive missile systems. Discussions about its integration onto smaller naval platforms are underway, which could further enhance the Navy’s operational flexibility against regional adversaries, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.