India Successfully Test-Fires Agni-Prime Missile from Rail-Based Mobile Launcher

India achieved a significant milestone in its defence capabilities Thursday with the successful test-firing of the advanced Agni-Prime ballistic missile from a rail-based mobile launcher, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced. The trial, conducted from an integrated test range, marks the first such launch from a specially designed rail platform, enhancing the missile's operational flexibility and strategic deployment options.

The Agni-Prime, a next-generation variant in India's Agni series of nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missiles, boasts a strike range of up to 2,000 kilometres, making it suitable for medium-range engagements across South Asia and beyond. Weighing approximately 50% less than its predecessor, the Agni-V, it incorporates state-of-the-art propulsion systems, advanced guidance technology, and improved manoeuvrability to evade missile defences. These features, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Army, underscore India's push toward indigenous, high-precision weaponry amid evolving regional security dynamics.

Defence Minister Singh highlighted the rail-based mobile launcher's advantages in a post on X, noting its ability to traverse the national rail network for rapid cross-country mobility. This setup enables launches with minimal reaction time and reduced visibility, complicating detection efforts by adversaries. "This successful test-firing from a rail-based mobile launcher system validates the missile's versatility and strengthens our deterrence posture," Singh stated, emphasising the system's role in bolstering second-strike capabilities.

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The test comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, including recent border skirmishes with China and cross-border threats from Pakistan, where such advancements serve as a deterrent. The Agni series, initiated in the 1980s, has evolved from the short-range Agni-I to the intercontinental Agni-VI prototypes, reflecting India's maturation as a missile power. With this success, the Agni-Prime edges closer to full induction into the Strategic Forces Command, reinforcing the nation's commitment to credible minimum deterrence under its no-first-use nuclear policy.

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