New Delhi: In a major advancement for its strategic defense capabilities, India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based launcher for the first time on September 24, 2025. This historic launch places India in an exclusive club of nations, including the US, Russia, and China, that have mastered the technology to deploy and launch a canisterized missile from a mobile rail network.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), conducted the test under a full operational scenario. The successful flight test was hailed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as a significant achievement that will enhance India’s deterrence posture.
Key Features of the Agni-Prime Missile and its Rail Launcher
The Agni-Prime, a next-generation missile, is the sixth in India’s Agni series. It is a two-stage, solid-propellant missile with a strike range of up to 2,000 km, capable of reaching key targets across Pakistan and a significant portion of China. What makes this test a game-changer is the combination of the missile’s advanced features with the new rail-based launcher:
- Canisterized System: The Agni-Prime is stored and transported in a hermetically sealed canister, which protects it from external elements and allows it to be mated with its warhead for long periods. This canisterization drastically reduces the reaction time for a launch, as it eliminates the need for extensive pre-launch preparation.
- Rail-Based Mobility: The new launcher, designed to move on India’s vast railway network, provides unparalleled cross-country mobility. This makes the missile far more survivable, as it can be hidden in train tunnels or moved under the cover of routine traffic, making it extremely difficult for adversary satellites or surveillance systems to detect and target.
- Quick Reaction and Reduced Visibility: The system is self-sustained and equipped with independent launch capabilities, state-of-the-art communication systems, and protection mechanisms. This allows for a launch within a short reaction time and with reduced visibility, further complicating any adversary’s plans for a pre-emptive strike.
While the road-mobile variant of the Agni-Prime has already been inducted into the military, this latest test will pave the way for the induction of futuristic rail-based systems, adding a new dimension of flexibility and survivability to India’s strategic forces.
Strengthening India’s Nuclear Doctrine
The successful test aligns with the core tenets of India’s nuclear doctrine, which is based on a “No First Use” policy, credible minimum deterrence, and survivability. The ability to launch a nuclear-capable missile from a mobile, rail-based platform ensures that even if an adversary attempts a first strike, a portion of India’s nuclear arsenal will survive and be able to retaliate swiftly and decisively. This strengthens the credibility of India’s second-strike capability and enhances the country’s overall defense preparedness.
This milestone is part of a series of recent technological achievements by India’s defense sector. Last year alone, India successfully tested a new integrated air defense system capable of shooting down multiple targets at different altitudes and ranges. The country also unveiled a locally produced laser weapon to counter drones and conducted a ground test of a scramjet engine for next-generation hypersonic missiles. Additionally, last year saw the trial of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile and the successful development of the Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, which allows it to carry multiple warheads to different targets.