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India achieved a major milestone in its strategic deterrence programme on Thursday with the successful test of the nuclear-capable Agni-Prime (Agni-P) missile from a rail-based mobile launcher. It marks the first-ever launch of its kind, integrating a missile system with the national railway network.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Agni-Prime is a new-generation, nuclear-capable, medium-range ballistic missile with a strike range of 2,000 km. It is lighter, more accurate, and more mobile than its predecessors in the Agni series.
The DRDO stated, “It provides cross-country mobility and can launch quickly with reduced visibility. It is self-sustaining and features an independent launch capability, including state-of-the-art communication systems and protection mechanisms. The missile’s trajectory was tracked by various ground stations, and the launch was conducted flawlessly, meeting all mission objectives. This successful launch will facilitate the induction of advanced rail-based systems into service. The event was observed by senior DRDO scientists and officers from the Strategic Forces Command.”
The Road Mobile Agni-P has already been inducted into the services after a series of successful flight trials.
The test comes just weeks after an earlier Agni-Prime trial at Chandipur, Odisha, in August. It also follows the high-profile Agni-5 ‘Mission Divyastra’ test in March 2024, which showcased India’s first successful use of multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology. Unlike current single-warhead missiles operated by the SFC, a MIRV-equipped system can carry and release several nuclear warheads aimed at different targets simultaneously.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a demonstration of India’s expanding capabilities:
“The first-of-its-kind launch carried out today from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher has the capability to move on the Rail network without any preconditions. This ensures cross-country mobility, reduced visibility, and rapid launch within a short reaction time,” he posted on X.
He congratulated the DRDO, Strategic Forces Command (SFC), and the Armed Forces, calling the test a landmark achievement that places India among a select group of nations with the capability to deploy canisterised ballistic missiles from a mobile rail platform.
Agni-Prime: Next-Generation Capabilities
- Canisterised launch system: Stored in a sealed canister for protection and longer shelf life, enabling rapid mobility and multi-platform launches — including both road and rail-based systems.
- Range: 1,000–2,000 km, bridging the gap between Agni-I and Agni-II, which it is designed to replace.
- Propulsion: Two-stage, solid-fuelled missile with lightweight composite motor casings.
- Guidance: Advanced dual redundant system using ring-laser gyroscopes and a micro-inertial navigation system, with optional GPS and India’s NaVIC satellite support for pinpoint accuracy.
- Manoeuvrability: Fitted with a Manoeuvrable Re-entry Vehicle (MaRV) to evade enemy missile defences.
- Warheads: Designed for future integration with MIRVs, significantly increasing strike versatility.
- Deployment: Operated by the Strategic Forces Command, which manages India’s nuclear arsenal. Road-mobile variants have already been inducted.
Also Read: Agni-Prime: New Gen Ballistic Missile Successfully Flight-Tested
Strategic Significance
The rail-launch capability adds a new layer of unpredictability and survivability to India’s nuclear deterrent. Unlike fixed silos or visible road convoys, rail-based launchers can blend into the vast railway network, making detection and targeting by adversaries far more difficult.
As the Agni-Prime gradually replaces older Agni-I and Agni-II missiles, India is advancing a leaner, more flexible, and survivable nuclear force posture in response to evolving regional threats.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
