In a first, India successfully test-fired an intermediate range Agni-Prime missile with a range of 2,000 km from a rail based mobile launcher system late on Wednesday, demonstrating its capability to deploy the missile across the country.
A day after the next-generation missile was tested, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the successful test in a statement on X, calling it a “first-of-its-kind launch” that demonstrates India’s growing strategic deterrence capabilities. He also shared videos of the explosive lift off.
India test-fires Agni-Prime missile with range of 2,000 km
“The “first-of-its-kind” launch carried out from specially designed rail-based mobile launcher, has the capability to move on rail network without any pre-conditions and it allows users to have cross country mobility and launch within a short reaction time, Singh said. “This successful flight test has put India in the group of select nations having capabilities that have developed canisterised launch system from on the move rail network,” he said on X.
A weapons test, by itself, is generally not a headline event, particularly for countries like India, with a wide-ranging arsenal of short, medium and long-range missiles in its arsenal. This, however, was no ordinary missile test. The nuclear-capable, next-gen weapon - with a range of 2,000 km - was fired from a launch bed pulled by an Indian Railways locomotive. And the successful launch means India joins an elite list - Russia, the United States, and China - capable, or which had the capability, of firing railcar-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), carried out the “successful” launch of intermediate range Agni-Prime missile under a full operational scenario on Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said. It has not disclosed the location of test-firing of the weapon system.
A rail-based missile is harder to destroy, as they can travel anywhere along a nation’s rail network, and hide from satellite surveillance in tunnels. Furthermore, they can be rapidly mobilised in times of need owing to the country’s existing rail network serves. A rail mobile launcher could also provide better disguise than road launchers.
The ministry said the missile is equipped with all independent launch capability features, including the state-of-the-art communication systems and protection mechanisms. “The missile trajectory was tracked by various ground stations and it was a text book launch meeting all mission objectives. This successful launch will enable futuristic rail-based systems induction into services,” it said.
The launch was witnessed by senior scientists of the DRDO and officers of Strategic Forces Command.
The “road mobile” variant of Agni-Prime has already been inducted into the services after a series of successful flight trials. The test-firing of the missile came over four-and-half-months after the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan.
The test follows the successful launch of the missile in August at Chandipur, Odisha. In March 2024, a trial of Agni-5 was conducted under ‘Mission Divyastra’, showcasing MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle) capability. A MIRV-equipped missile can carry 3-4 nuclear warheads, each aimed at different targets. Currently, the SFC, formed in 2003, operates only single-warhead missiles. The solid-fuelled, three-stage Agni-5 is canister-launched, allowing rapid deployment.
Govt inks 62,000 crore contract with HAL to procure 97 Tejas jets for IAF
New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Thursday sealed a 62,370 crore deal with the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to procure 97 Tejas MK-1A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force. The signing of the contract came over a month after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi green-lighted the mega procurement.
The delivery of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) would commence in 2027-28 and the supplies will have to be completed over a period of six years, officials said. “The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for procurement of 97 LCA Mk1A, including 68 fighters and 29 twin seaters, along with associated equipment, for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of over `62,370 crore (excluding taxes),” according to an official readout.
