The Indian Army has awarded a 29.3-billion-rupee ($35 million) contract to domestic defense firm Nibe for the supply of a long-range multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system.
The system is derived from Elbit Systems’ Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS), which is capable of striking targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles). In August, Nibe entered into an agreement with Elbit Systems to manufacture the system in India, covering production for both domestic and export markets and including technology transfer.
This marks the first instance of an internationally developed MRL being produced in India, strengthening the country’s technical capabilities in this specialized segment and positioning it as a potential global supplier of rocket artillery systems.
The acquisition is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s deep-strike capacity, an area where current capabilities remain limited. It also aligns with India’s broader push to expand indigenous rocket artillery programs, highlighted by the recent successful test of the Pinaka long-range guided rocket at its maximum range of 120 kilometers (75 miles).
Compared to indigenous systems, PULS offers a universal launcher capable of firing 122 mm, 160 mm, and 306 mm rockets, as well as Predator Hawk tactical ballistic missiles with ranges reaching 300 kilometers. The system can engage multiple targets simultaneously with high precision, achieving a circular error probability of under 5 meters (16.4 feet), and can also deploy loitering munitions at distances of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles).
