In a significant achievement for India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully launched the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher on October 18, 2023. This launch took place under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), showcasing India’s advancing technological prowess.
The Agni-Prime missile is designed to target distances of up to 2,000 km, integrating various advanced features that enhance operational flexibility and effectiveness. According to an official statement from the Defence Ministry, this next-generation missile marks a pivotal moment in India’s missile development, demonstrating significant capabilities.
The launch marks the first-time use of a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher capable of traveling on India’s extensive rail network. This capability allows for cross-country mobility, enabling the missile to be launched in a short timespan while maintaining reduced visibility, which is crucial for strategic operations.
This self-sustained launcher is equipped with independent launch capabilities, advanced communication systems, and effective protection mechanisms, ensuring high readiness and operational success. During the test, various ground stations tracked the missile’s trajectory, confirming that the launch met all its mission objectives.
The successful demonstration of this technology paves the way for the induction of futuristic rail-based systems into India’s defense arsenal. The event attracted significant attention, with senior scientists from DRDO and officers from the Strategic Forces Command present to observe the successful test.
Notably, the road-mobile variant of the Agni-P has already been inducted into the Indian armed forces after numerous successful trials. This latest launch not only affirms the operational readiness of the missile but also reinforces India’s position among the select nations that can deploy canisterized launch systems from a rail network.
Expressing satisfaction with the successful test, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the SFC, and the armed forces via social media platform X. He stated that the successful flight test places India in an elite category of nations capable of advanced missile technologies.
Singh emphasized, “This next-generation missile, designed to cover a range up to 2,000 km, features a launch capability that allows mobility across the rail network without pre-conditions.” His comments highlight the strategic significance and enhanced operational mobility afforded by the Agni-Prime missile system.
Additionally, the Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO complimented all teams involved in this landmark achievement, recognizing the hard work and dedication of the personnel in achieving this milestone.
