India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its most advanced nuclear-capable missile, Agni-5, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. Conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command, the trial met all technical and operational objectives, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to a policy of credible minimum deterrence, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-5 has now been equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, enabling a single missile to carry and launch multiple nuclear warheads aimed at different targets. This capability represents a transformative leap in India’s nuclear delivery systems.
What Is the Agni-5 Missile?
Agni-5 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) designed to deliver nuclear warheads across long distances. Featuring a three-stage solid-fuel propulsion system, it is launched from a road-mobile, canisterised platform, enhancing mobility, storage, and readiness.
According to reports, the missile can deliver a nuclear payload of up to 1.5 tonnes and has been built with advanced light composite materials, reducing weight and improving efficiency. It also integrates sophisticated guidance systems, combining gyroscope-based sensors with NavIC (India’s indigenous navigation system) and the U.S. GPS network, ensuring high accuracy over extended ranges.
What Makes This Test Significant?
The defining feature of this latest test was the continued validation of MIRV technology, which allows a single missile to release multiple warheads targeting different locations.
India had first demonstrated this capability in March 2024 during a launch from Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, when the missile successfully carried up to three nuclear warheads. The August 2025 test marks another step towards full operational readiness, enhancing India’s ability to penetrate adversary missile defence systems and strengthening strategic flexibility.
Range and Reach
With a declared range of over 5,000 km, Agni-5 is classified as an intermediate-range system. However, reports suggest that DRDO is also developing an extended-range variant capable of reaching up to 7,500 km.
This range enables the missile to cover nearly all of Asia—including northern China—and parts of Europe, making it a critical asset in deterring both regional and long-range threats.
Evolution of the Agni Missile Series
India’s Agni programme has evolved in stages to address diverse strategic requirements:
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Agni-1 (700–900 km): Short-range, aimed at Pakistan
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Agni-2 (~2,000 km): Medium-range, covering deeper regional threats
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Agni-3 & Agni-4 (2,500–3,500 km): Designed primarily to counter China
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Agni-5 (5,000+ km): MIRV-enabled, built for multi-target, long-distance deterrence
Together, the Agni series forms the backbone of India’s land-based nuclear strike capability.
Key Technological Features of Agni-5
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MIRV capability: Multiple nuclear warheads per launch
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Three-stage solid-fuel propulsion: Ensuring reliability and extended reach
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Composite materials: Enhancing efficiency and reducing weight
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Dual navigation systems: Gyroscope-based sensors with NavIC and GPS integration
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Canisterised launch system: Enabling faster deployment and greater survivability
Additional upgrades in avionics, heat shielding, and guidance precision have further enhanced its resilience and combat-readiness.
Regional Reactions and Pakistan’s Concerns
The test has drawn concern from Pakistan, with the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Islamabad, warning Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir that India’s expanding missile arsenal poses “serious risks” to regional stability.
SVI noted that India’s missile programme accelerated after its entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, and cautioned that future Agni variants with ranges of up to 8,000 km could potentially target cities as distant as Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.
The think tank also raised alarms over India’s naval nuclear build-up, particularly the development of submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and urged greater international scrutiny.
What Lies Ahead for India’s Missile Programme?
According to defence sources, DRDO is actively pursuing next-generation upgrades, including:
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Extending missile ranges further
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Increasing warhead-carrying capacity
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Incorporating bunker-buster technology for hardened underground targets
These developments aim to reinforce India’s preparedness in a rapidly evolving security environment.
Agni-5 and the Future of India’s Nuclear Doctrine
The successful validation of MIRV technology has significantly advanced India’s second-strike capability under its No First Use (NFU) doctrine, ensuring a decisive retaliatory response in the event of nuclear aggression.
Agni-5 now stands as the most advanced missile in India’s arsenal and a cornerstone of its nuclear deterrence strategy. Its evolving capabilities underscore New Delhi’s resolve to maintain peace and stability through credible strength.
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