New Delhi, India – In a significant development for India’s strategic defense capabilities, the country on Wednesday successfully test-fired its most advanced nuclear-capable missile, the Agni-5, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. The launch, conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, met all technical and operational targets, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence. This successful test is a powerful reaffirmation of India’s commitment to maintaining a “credible minimum deterrence posture.”
The primary significance of this test lies in the continued validation of the missile’s Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. This advanced system allows a single missile to carry and deploy multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of striking different targets independently. This capability, which India first tested in March 2024 from Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, marks a major upgrade in the country’s nuclear delivery and strategic flexibility. It enables the missile to better penetrate enemy defense systems and strike multiple objectives with a single launch.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-5 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with a declared strike range of over 5,000 kilometers, capable of reaching almost all of Asia, including northern China, and parts of Europe. The missile is powered by a three-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and is launched from a canisterized platform, which enhances its mobility and readiness for deployment.
The Agni-5 is a key component of India’s land-based nuclear strike force, which includes other missiles in the Agni series tailored for different strategic needs: Agni-1 (700-900 km), Agni-2 (~2,000 km), Agni-3 and Agni-4 (2,500-3,500 km).
Pakistan Voices Concern Over India’s Missile Advancement
The successful test of the Agni-5 has raised alarms in neighboring Pakistan. The Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), a Pakistan-based think tank, has expressed concerns to the Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir. The SVI warned that India’s missile program, particularly its accelerated development since joining the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, poses “serious risks” to regional stability. The think tank also noted that future Agni variants could have an extended range of up to 7,500 km, potentially bringing cities in Europe and even North America within range.
Future of India’s Missile Program
According to reports, DRDO is already working on next-generation upgrades to the Agni line. These future enhancements may include a further extension of the missile’s range, an increase in the number of warheads each missile can carry, and the integration of “bunker-buster” technology to hit deeply buried or heavily protected targets. These developments aim to ensure that India remains prepared in a rapidly evolving strategic environment.