On Thursday, India successfully conducted the test firing of its Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system, marking a historic first-of-its-kind achievement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the milestone, highlighting that the rail-launch system will provide the armed forces with cross-country mobility and enable missile deployment within a short reaction time while maintaining reduced visibility.
“This successful flight test positions India among a select group of nations capable of operating canisterized launch systems from a mobile rail network,” he noted. Senior scientists from DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and officers from the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) observed the launch, which demonstrated the missile’s precision and advanced technology.
The next-generation Agni-Prime missile is designed with an intermediate range of up to 2,000 kilometers, covering Pakistan and significant portions of China. The system is self-sustained, equipped with independent launch features, modern communication systems, and robust protective mechanisms, ensuring operational readiness and strategic reliability.
Ground stations meticulously tracked the missile’s trajectory, confirming a textbook launch that met all mission objectives. The Defence Minister congratulated DRDO, SFC, and the armed forces for the successful test, reiterating that this milestone cements India’s status among nations with rail-based canisterized launch capabilities.
This launch represents the first deployment from a specially designed rail-mobile platform, offering enhanced mobility across the country and rapid deployment with minimal exposure. Secretary of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman praised all teams involved for their accomplishment.
The test follows a previous successful launch of Agni-Prime in August. In March 2024, the Agni-5 missile was trialed under Mission Divyastra, demonstrating its MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle) capability. MIRV-equipped missiles can carry 3–4 nuclear warheads, each targeting separate locations. The Road Mobile Agni-Prime has already been inducted into service following a series of successful trials, strengthening India’s strategic defense and deterrence posture.
