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India on Friday successfully test-fired the Agni-1 short-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha, further reinforcing the country’s strategic deterrence capability.
The launch was carried out on May 22 under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-1 missile forms part of India’s nuclear-capable ballistic missile arsenal and is a key element of the country’s strategic deterrence posture. The Agni series from Agni-1 to Agni-4 covers strike ranges from about 700 km to 3,500 km and is already operationally deployed.
“With this successful trial, India once again demonstrated the capability to target multiple strategic targets using a single missile system,” the Ministry said, adding that DRDO laboratories had developed the missile with support from domestic industry partners.
The latest test comes against the backdrop of rapid advances in India’s strategic missile programme, particularly in the integration of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology into long-range missile systems.
Earlier this month, India conducted a successful flight test of an advanced Agni missile equipped with MIRV capability. The missile was tested with multiple payloads aimed at different targets spread across a wide geographical area in the Indian Ocean Region.
According to officials, flight data confirmed that all mission objectives were achieved.
India had earlier demonstrated MIRV capability in March 2024 under ‘Mission Divyastra’, when the country conducted the maiden flight test of the Agni-5 missile carrying multiple independently targetable warheads.
A subsequent user-validation trial conducted by the Strategic Forces Command was held on August 20, 2025. The more recent test in May also reportedly integrated a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle payload with MIRV technology, marking the first such combination on an intercontinental-range missile platform.
Defence officials view these developments as part of India’s broader push to strengthen the credibility, survivability and flexibility of its strategic deterrent in an increasingly complex regional security environment.
Team BharatShakti
