The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), successfully launched the intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile under a full operational scenario on Wednesday, the defence ministry announced. The location of the test-firing has not been disclosed.
This “first-of-its-kind” launch was carried out from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher, which has the unique capability to move on a rail network without any pre-conditions. It allows users to have cross-country mobility and enables missile launch within a short reaction time, explained Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
“This successful flight test has placed India in a select group of nations with the capability to develop a canisterised launch system from a moving rail network,” Singh said on social media platform X.
The ministry highlighted that the missile is equipped with independent launch capabilities, including state-of-the-art communication systems and advanced protection mechanisms. The missile’s trajectory was carefully tracked by various ground stations, and the launch was described as a textbook execution that met all mission objectives.
“This successful launch will pave the way for the induction of futuristic rail-based missile systems into the armed services,” the ministry added.
The test launch was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists and officers from the Strategic Forces Command. Notably, the “road mobile” variant of Agni-Prime has already been inducted into the armed forces after completing a series of successful flight trials.
The recent test-firing comes just over four and a half months after the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan.
In related developments, on Tuesday, Rajnath Singh underscored India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), emphasizing that the goal is not only to manufacture for domestic needs but also to develop capabilities that position India as a credible source of advanced technology and high-quality products globally.
During the same day, Singh and his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelatif Loudyi, jointly inaugurated Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s (TASL) state-of-the-art defence manufacturing facility in Berrechid, Morocco. Singh described this event as a historic moment in the evolving strategic partnership between India and Morocco.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/india-test-fires-agni-prime-missile-from-rail-based-mobile-platform-23595727