DRDO test-fires Agni-Prime missile from rail platform

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), carried out successful launch of Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile from a Rail-based Mobile launcher system on September 24. 

• This next generation missile is designed to cover a range up to 2,000 km and is equipped with various advanced features.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that it put India in the group of select nations having capability to launch such a weapon system from the rail network.

• The first-of-its-kind launch carried out from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher, has the capability to move on rail network without any pre-conditions.

• It provides for cross country mobility and has the capability to launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility. 

• It is self-sustained and 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.

• The ‘road mobile’ variant of Agni-Prime has already been inducted into the services after a series of successful flight trials.

What are Agni missiles?

• The Agni missiles are long-range, nuclear weapons-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missiles developed by India.

• India’s Agni missile class forms the core of its nuclear deterrent, alongside other key elements like Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and nuclear-capable fighter aircraft.

• The Agni missile series, from Agni-1 to Agni-5, has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), showcasing India’s advanced missile technology.

Ranges of Agni Missiles:

• Agni-1: Short-range ballistic missile with a range of 700-800 km.

• Agni-2: Medium-range missile with a range exceeding 2,000 km.

• Agni-3: Capable of hitting targets over 2,500 km away.

• Agni-4: A longer-range missile with a range of over 3,500 km, designed for mobility and can be fired from a road-mobile launcher.

• Agni-5: The most advanced and longest-range missile in the series, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range exceeding 5,000 km.