India Successfully Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Agni-5 Missile

India achieved a significant milestone in its strategic defence programme on Wednesday with the successful test-firing of the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. Conducted under the auspices of the Strategic Forces Command, the launch validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile system.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Agni-5 is India’s most advanced ballistic missile and a key component of the country’s land-based nuclear deterrent.

Agni-5 Test Highlights India’s Strategic Capabilities

The Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile is capable of striking targets over 5,000 kilometres, making it one of the longest-range weapons in India’s arsenal. According to the Ministry of Defence, the test confirmed the missile’s performance across all mission objectives and demonstrated its operational readiness.

The missile is designed to carry a nuclear warhead of up to 1.5 tonnes and has been built using lightweight composite materials to maximise efficiency, mobility and overall reliability.

Equipped With MIRV and Precision Guidance Systems

One of the most important features of the Agni-5 is the inclusion of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, which allows a single missile to deliver multiple warheads to different targets. For precision targeting, the missile uses a ring-laser gyroscope-based inertial navigation system (RLG-INS) combined with a micro-inertial navigation system (MINGS). These systems are further supported by satellite navigation inputs from India’s NavIC and the US GPS networks.

Three-Stage Solid Fuel Propulsion and Canisterised Design

Agni-5 employs a three-stage solid fuel propulsion system, enabling rapid acceleration and extended range. The missile is launched from a canisterised platform, which ensures quick deployment, simplified storage, and enhanced mobility for the armed forces in operational scenarios.

Ongoing Upgrades to Avionics and Re-Entry Systems

In recent years, the missile has undergone a number of key upgrades, including improved avionics, enhanced re-entry heat shielding, and advanced guidance systems. Defence officials stated that these improvements are intended to keep the missile at the forefront of India’s strategic capability and ensure credible deterrence.

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