India has once again demonstrated its growing defense and technological capabilities with the successful test-firing of the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on Thursday from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island test facility in Chandipur, Odisha.
The Agni-5, a powerful long-range ballistic missile, is capable of striking targets up to 5,000 kilometers away, effectively placing a vast region including most of Asia, and parts of Europe and Africa within its strike range.
Features of Agni-5
Type: Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)
Range: 5,000 – 5,500 km
Capability: Nuclear-capable missile designed to carry Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs), allowing it to strike multiple targets simultaneously.
Propulsion: Solid-fuel, three-stage propulsion system.
Launch Mode: Road-mobile and canister-based, making it easier to transport, store, and rapidly deploy.
Strategic Importance
The successful test marks a major boost to India’s nuclear deterrence strategy. As part of India’s No First Use (NFU) nuclear doctrine, Agni-5 provides a credible second-strike capability, meaning India will be able to respond effectively in the event of a nuclear attack.
Its reach across the Asia-Pacific region is widely viewed as a strategic signal, particularly to countries like China and Pakistan, with whom India shares complex security dynamics.
Evolution of the Agni Series
The Agni missile program, started in the 1980s under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), has progressively strengthened India’s missile capabilities:
Agni-I: Range up to 700 km
Agni-II: Range up to 2,000 km
Agni-III & Agni-IV: Range about 3,500 km
Agni-5: Range of 5,000 – 5,500 km
Agni-5 is currently regarded as the backbone of India’s long-range deterrence strategy, expanding national defense beyond immediate borders.
Global Reactions
While India has consistently reiterated that its nuclear and missile programs are purely defensive in nature, the successful test has drawn attention across global security circles. Such advancements underline New Delhi’s growing role as a responsible strategic power, while also sending a subtle message of strength to adversaries in the region.
The successful testing of Agni-5 from Chandipur, Odisha, on June 15, 2023, marks a defining step in India’s defense preparedness. It reflects the country’s technological self-reliance, strategic maturity, and commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty.
As India continues to modernize its defense forces, the Agni-5 missile stands out as a symbol of both technological innovation and strong national security capability.