Agni-5
India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its most advanced nuclear missile, Agni-5, from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. The launch, carried out under the Strategic Forces Command, reaffirms India’s policy of “credible minimum deterrence” and marks a significant upgrade in its nuclear capability. The Agni-5 is a medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) designed to carry nuclear weapons over long distances, with a declared range of over 5,000 kilometres. However, an advanced version is reportedly under development with an extended range of up to 7,500 kilometres.
MIRV technology: The game-changer
The highlight of the recent Agni-5 test was the continued validation of its Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. This capability enables a single missile to carry and deliver multiple nuclear weapons to different targets simultaneously. India first tested this technology in March 2024, demonstrating its ability to carry three nuclear warheads. The August 2025 test brings the system one step closer to operational readiness and marks a major shift in India’s deterrent posture.
Agni-5 also features several other key technologies:
* A three-stage, solid-fuel propulsion system for longer range and reliability.
* Composite materials for improved weight and efficiency.
* Advanced navigation technology using gyroscopes and satellite positioning (NavIC and GPS).
* A canisterised launch system for improved mobility and faster deployment.
Regional implications and Pakistan’s concerns
This successful test has raised concerns of neighbouring Pakistan, especially the Pakistan-based think tank, the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI). SVI warns that India’s missile programme poses “serious risks” to regional stability and this development has accelerated since India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016.
With a possible 8,000-km range version of Agni in the future, the think tank cautions that cities as far away as Washington, Moscow and Beijing could eventually come within its range, giving India a potent weapon to deter both regional and distant threats.
Comparison of Agni missiles
The Agni series is the backbone of India’s land-based nuclear deterrence, and each variant serves a specific strategic purpose:
* Agni-1 (700-900 km): A short-range missile targeted at Pakistan.
* Agni-2 (around 2,000 km): A medium-range missile with a range of up to 100 km to reach deep into neighbouring territories.
* Agni-3 and Agni-4 (2,500-3,500 km): Long-range platforms designed to counter China.
* Agni-5 (5,000+ km): Long-range platform equipped with MIRVs for multi-target nuclear deterrence.
Source: Tv18, Hindustan Times, TOI