India has achieved a significant milestone in its defence capabilities with the successful test of the Agni-Prime missile from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher system. The trial, conducted on Thursday by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been hailed as a &ldquo;first-of-its-kind&rdquo; achievement by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who praised the innovation behind launching a ballistic missile directly from railway tracks.
The Agni-Prime is a next-generation, nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile designed to strike targets up to 2,000 kilometres away. The defence minister underlined that this successful test has placed India among a select group of nations capable of deploying a canisterised missile launch system from a moving rail network.
&ldquo;Congratulations to DRDO, Strategic Forces Command (SFC), and the Armed Forces on the successful test of the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime missile,&rdquo; Singh said, noting that the exercise strengthens India&rsquo;s strategic mobility and deterrence posture.
The breakthrough is not only a leap in missile technology but also a demonstration of India&rsquo;s push for strategic flexibility. By integrating advanced launch platforms like railway-based systems, the armed forces can rapidly reposition missiles, making them harder to detect and neutralise in times of conflict.
With this test, India has sent a strong signal to its adversaries, particularly China and Pakistan, both of which fall within the Agni-Prime&rsquo;s strike range. The innovation marks a bold step forward in the country&rsquo;s pursuit of self-reliance in critical defence technologies and its resolve to maintain a credible deterrent against evolving regional threats.

Agni-Prime Missile Tested from Rail Launcher

India joins elite club with rail-based nuclear-capable Agni-Prime missile launch

Agni-Prime Missile Tested from Rail Launcher

India joins elite club with rail-based nuclear-capable Agni-Prime missile launch

September 25, 2025 | 12:39 IST