The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), successfully conducted the launch of 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 that can move on a rail network without any pre-conditions. This system provides cross-country mobility and enables launch within a short reaction time, explained Rajnath Singh.
“With this successful flight test, India joins a select group of nations that have developed a canisterised launch system capable of firing from a moving rail network,” Singh stated on X.
According to the ministry, the missile is equipped with independent launch capability, including state-of-the-art communication systems and protection mechanisms. The missile’s trajectory was tracked by multiple ground stations and the launch proceeded flawlessly, meeting all mission objectives.
“This achievement will pave the way for the future induction of rail-based missile systems into our services,” the ministry added.
The launch was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists and officers from the Strategic Forces Command. It is important to note that the “road mobile” variant of Agni-Prime has already been inducted into service following a series of successful flight trials.
This test-firing occurred just over four and a half months after the recent four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan.
Separately, on Tuesday, Rajnath Singh emphasized India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, highlighting that it is not just about manufacturing for domestic needs but about developing capabilities to become 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 milestone 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