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With a range of over 5,000 km and the ability to deliver multiple warheads, Agni-5 marks India’s biggest leap yet in missile technology
DRDO conducts first flight test of indigenously developed Agni-5 missile. (Image: PTI/File)
India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its most advanced nuclear missile, Agni-5, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. The launch, carried out under the Strategic Forces Command, met all technical and operational targets and reaffirmed India’s commitment to a “credible minimum deterrence,” according to the Ministry of Defence.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Agni-5 is now equipped with MIRV technology, a system that allows a single missile to carry and launch multiple nuclear warheads at different targets. This marks a major upgrade in India’s nuclear delivery capability.
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What Is The Agni-5 Missile?
Agni-5 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) designed to carry nuclear warheads over long distances. It is equipped with a three-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and is launched from a road-mobile, canisterised platform, which improves mobility, storage, and launch readiness.
According to India Today, the missile can deliver a nuclear payload of up to 1.5 tonnes and is built using light composite materials, making it lighter and more efficient.
It also features advanced guidance systems, combining gyroscope-based sensors with satellite navigation tools like NavIC (India’s regional GPS) and the American GPS network. This ensures high accuracy over long distances.
What Makes This Agni-5 Test Different?
The main highlight of the latest Agni-5 test was the continued validation of MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, which allows a single missile to carry and deliver multiple warheads aimed at different targets.
According to TOI, India had first tested this capability in March 2024 from Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, demonstrating the ability to carry up to three nuclear warheads. The August 2025 test brings the system a step closer to operational readiness.
This advancement is a significant shift in India’s deterrence capability, enabling better penetration of enemy missile defence systems and increasing strategic flexibility.
What Is The Range Of Agni-5?
The missile has a declared range of over 5,000 km, and is classified as an intermediate-range system. However, TOI reports that DRDO is working on an upgraded variant with an extended range of up to 7,500 km.
This range allows the missile to reach almost all of Asia, including northern China, and parts of Europe. It plays a key role in giving India the ability to deter both regional and distant threats.
How Does Agni-5 Compare To Other Missiles In The Agni Series?
India’s Agni missile series has been developed in stages to handle different strategic needs:
- Agni-1 (700–900 km): Short-range missile, mainly aimed at Pakistan
- Agni-2 (~2,000 km): Medium-range, reaching deeper into neighbouring regions
- Agni-3 and Agni-4 (2,500–3,500 km): Longer-range platforms, primarily to counter China
- Agni-5 (5,000+ km): Equipped with MIRV, designed for long-distance, multi-target nuclear deterrence
The Agni series forms the backbone of India’s land-based nuclear strike force.
What Technology Powers Agni-5?
Agni-5 incorporates several key technologies:
- MIRV capability, allowing deployment of multiple nuclear warheads in a single launch
- Three-stage, solid-fuel propulsion for long-range and reliability
- Composite materials for improved weight and efficiency
- Navigation tech using gyroscopes and satellite positioning (NavIC and GPS)
- Canisterised launch system, enabling faster deployment and mobility
The missile has also undergone upgrades in avionics, re-entry heat shielding, and overall guidance precision, improving its resilience and effectiveness in actual combat conditions.
Why Has The Test Alarmed Pakistan?
TOI reports that the test has raised concerns in Islamabad, particularly from the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), a Pakistan-based think tank. The SVI warned Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir that India’s missile programme poses “serious risks” to regional stability.
The SVI also pointed out that India’s missile development had accelerated after its accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016. With future Agni variants possibly reaching 8,000 km, the think tank warned that even cities like Washington, Moscow, and Beijing could eventually fall within range.
SVI also flagged India’s expanding naval nuclear arsenal, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as a point of concern. The think tank called for international pressure on India to avoid destabilising the regional balance and focus on diplomacy.
What’s Next For India’s Missile Programme?
As per TOI, DRDO is now working on next-generation upgrades to the Agni line. These may include:
- Extending the missile’s range further
- Increasing the number of warheads each missile can carry
- Adding bunker-buster technology to hit underground or heavily protected targets
These improvements aim to ensure India stays prepared in a changing strategic environment.
Agni-5 And The Future Of India’s Strategic Deterrence
With the successful MIRV-enabled test, Agni-5 has taken India’s nuclear delivery capability to the next level. It reinforces India’s second-strike strength under its No First Use doctrine, giving it the ability to respond decisively to any nuclear aggression.
Agni-5 is the most advanced missile in India’s arsenal, and a key pillar of its nuclear deterrent. Its evolving capability signals New Delhi’s intent to ensure peace through credible strength.
About the Author
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar…Read More
Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar… Read More
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