New Delhi: In a significant milestone for India’s strategic capabilities, the Defence Ministry on Thursday announced the successful test launch of the Agni-Prime intermediate-range ballistic missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system a first for the country.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared the news on X, calling the test “first-of-its-kind” and a major step toward enhancing India’s missile mobility and deterrence.
“This next-generation missile is designed to cover a range of up to 2,000 km and is equipped with advanced features,” Singh posted, congratulating the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and the Armed Forces for the achievement.
The rail-based launcher, specially designed for the test, can move freely across the railway network without special arrangements. This capability enables rapid deployment, short reaction time, and reduced detectability significantly strengthening India’s second-strike and deterrence posture.
The Agni-Prime is a canisterised, road- and rail-mobile missile system, forming a crucial part of India’s ongoing efforts to modernise its missile arsenal and bolster its strategic reach.
With this successful test, India joins a select group of nations capable of launching ballistic missiles from rail-based platforms, further boosting operational flexibility and survivability of its missile systems.
