Why Pakistan and China should be on alert after India test-fires Agni-V missile

India put its military might on display on Wednesday (August 20) as it successfully test-fired the Agni-V intermediate range ballistic missile from Odisha’s Chandipur. According to the defence ministry, the “launch validated all operational and technical parameters”.

The test, which is part of routine user trials aimed at ensuring the system’s readiness, also serves as a warning bell to Pakistan, as the missile has the range covering the entirety of Pakistan and even has the ability to reach even the remotest parts of China.

Notably, India’s test-firing of the Agni-V comes just around three-and-a-half months after Operation Sindoor and follows the previous test of Agni-5 in March last year.

About the Agni-V

The Agni-V is the fifth variant of India’s long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. India has a long history with the Agni series of missiles, dating back to 1989. At the time, India had test-fired Agni-I, an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, with a range of around 1,000 km.

Subsequently, India has been developing the Agni missile and the fifth variant was first tested in 2012, with subsequent tests conducted in the following years. The last test was conducted in March 2024 when the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was testing the missile after it was equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, allowing it to strike multiple targets with a single launch.

The Agni-V missile has a maximum payload of around 1,360 kilogrammes and a range of 5,000 km — this puts Pakistan, Turkey and even China within the missile’s target range. However, some experts note that India’s is downplaying the missile’s range, stating that it actually has the capability of striking 8,000 km away.

What makes the Agni-V missile even more intimidating is that it launches from a sealed canister that reduces the time needed for launching. An Indian Express report explains that the canisterisation also gives the missile a longer shelf life, protecting it from the harsher climatic conditions. The Agni-V also has the potential to be launched via a submarine. Furthermore, its top speed stands at around Mach 24.

The Agni-V is also India’s first inter-continental ballistic missile, a guided missile that is designed to deliver nuclear warheads, although they could also deliver other payloads. With the Agni, India has joined the club of seven countries: United States, Russia, China, France, Israel, UK and North Korea that possess this technology.

Indian defence scientists are also working on future versions of the Agni-V missile with bunker-busting capability, giving it the ability to strike heavily fortified targets.

A warning for Pakistan

India’s test-firing of the Agni-V missile will put Pakistan on alert, as it has a range that covers the entirety of the country. Notably, open source intelligence analyst Damien Symon shared a map showcasing what the tested range of Agni-V looks like and it covers a large area of land.

Reports indicate India has just carried out a test launch of the AGNI-5 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, using NOTAM data, here is a map outlining the missile’s 4,790 km tested range https://t.co/AhcIOwVVl7 pic.twitter.com/MnIJqpdqWD

— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) August 20, 2025

In fact, an Islamabad-based think tank has issued a warning against the Agni-V missile.

The Strategic Vision Institute noted that the Agni-V missile could destabilise the region and carry “serious repercussions” for global security. “Developments of missiles with ranges of 8,000 km and above and possessing nuclear capability are a clear manifestation of power projection globally and hegemonic designs,” the SVI said, adding that such weapons would put Washington, Moscow, Brussels, Beijing and other major cities within striking range.

Notably, the Agni-V trial comes months after Operation Sindoor in which the Indian Armed Forces’ proved their military prowess against Pakistan and its China-and-Turkey-supplied weapons.

Moreover, the only missile in Pakistan, which could contend against the Agni-V is the Shaheen III. It is a two-stage, solid-fuelled medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional payloads to a range of 2,750 km. This range allows the missile to target Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, which is the sole reason for its development according to General Khalid Kidwai, the former head of the Strategic Plans Division.

There’s also reports that Pakistan is secretly developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States.

India’s missile arsenal

The Agni-V missile is just one of the many in India’s missile stable. India has the BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile. It has a range of between 300-500 km depending on which variant and launch platform is used. The missile carries a conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kg.

Another important missile for India is the short-range ballistic missile Prithvi with a range of 350 km. There’s also the Nirbhay, which is India’s first indigenously-produced cruise missile. It is similar in appearance to the US Tomahawk and the Russian Club SS-N-27.

In addition to these, India also possesses the short-range ballistic missile Pralay as well as the Scalp missiles, which were used in Operation Sindoor. Scalps are air-launched cruise missiles with stealth features, designed for long-range deep strikes. Known as Storm Shadow in Britain, these missiles can be operated at night and in all weather conditions.

With inputs from agencies