Agni Prime New Generation Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile

Agni Prime Ballistic Missile

India has achieved a significant milestone in its strategic weaponry capabilities with the successful night launch of the advanced Agni Prime ballistic missile. The launch took place from Abdul Kalam Island located off the coast of Odisha. This first pre-induction night launch of Agni Prime, which is a nuclear-capable missile with a striking range of 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres, was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the elite strategic forces command. The successful test marks a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities and showcases its commitment to maintaining a strong and credible deterrence.

“New generation ballistic missile ‘Agni Prime’ was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on June 7,” the Defence Minsitry ministry said.

Notably, the Agni Prime missile boasts a weight that is 50 percent lighter compared to the Agni 3 missile, along with enhanced guidance and propulsion systems. An additional advantage of the Agni Prime is its canisterized design, allowing for launch from either rail or road platforms. This feature enables convenient storage over extended periods and facilitates transportation as per operational requirements.

In October of the previous year, India achieved a successful test-fire of the ‘Agni Prime’ from the coast of Odisha. Defence officials confirmed that all test objectives were successfully met, thereby establishing the system’s accuracy and reliability through the third consecutive successful test.

The initial test took place in June 2021, followed by a second test six months later in December. India achieved a successful test-firing of the Agni-V missile in December, showcasing its capability to strike targets at distances of up to 5,000 km. With this extended range, the Agni-V missile covers a vast geographical expanse, encompassing a significant portion of Asia, including the northernmost regions of China, as well as certain parts of Europe. It is noteworthy that the Agni 1 to 4 missiles, with ranges ranging from 700 km to 3,500 km, have already been deployed and are in active service.