Agni-Prime Successfully Flight-Tested: A Leap in India’s Strategic Missile Capability
India’s defence preparedness achieved a new milestone with the successful flight test of the Agni-Prime (Agni-P), a new-generation ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test was conducted from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, with full instrumentation tracking the missile’s path through telemetry, radar, and electro-optical systems strategically positioned along the eastern seaboard.
Agni-Prime is a medium-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile, designed to enhance India’s deterrence capabilities with precision and agility. With an operational range of 1,000 to 2,000 km, it is the successor to Agni-I, featuring lighter composite materials, high-efficiency solid propellants, and a modern navigation system including ring laser gyros and GPS/NavIC support. The missile employs a canister-based launch system, enabling rapid mobility, quick launch readiness, and protection from external elements, similar to the technology used in Agni-V.
This two-stage, solid-fuel missile is not just compact and mobile—it’s engineered for high accuracy and superior terminal performance. The successful trial demonstrated its capability to follow a textbook trajectory, meeting all mission objectives and reinforcing India’s technological leadership in missile development. It is also reportedly equipped with the potential to carry maneuverable reentry vehicles (MaRV) or even multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) in future iterations.
Agni-Prime’s canister launch capability from road and rail platforms gives India’s Strategic Forces Command a flexible, survivable, and quick-response option in its nuclear arsenal. It reflects the evolving needs of modern warfare where mobility, stealth, and speed are critical.
With this successful test, India not only strengthens its strategic deterrence posture but also underscores its commitment to maintaining peace and security through credible minimum deterrence. The Defence Ministry and DRDO hailed the launch as a major step forward in bolstering national defence, and further trials are expected as the missile moves closer to full induction.
