India Successfully Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Agni-5
TNT News Desk | India on August 20, 2025, successfully test-fired the Agni-5 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, marking a significant advancement in the country’s strategic missile capabilities. The test was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), which manages India’s nuclear arsenal.
The Agni-5 missile, equipped with cutting-edge Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and striking multiple targets simultaneously with high accuracy. With an operational range exceeding 5,000 kilometres, the missile extends India’s strike capability to cover almost the entire Asian continent, including Turkey, northern China, and parts of Europe, thus significantly enhancing India’s deterrence posture.
The launch validated all operational and technical parameters, confirming the missile’s reliability and precision. It is powered by a three-stage solid-fuel engine and launched from mobile platforms, which enhance its survivability and operational readiness in hostile conditions.
The successful test reinforces India’s commitment to maintaining credible minimum deterrence with a no-first-use nuclear policy, while providing a powerful second-strike capability. The Agni missile program, initiated decades ago, continues to be a cornerstone of India’s strategic defense arsenal, underscoring the country’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technology.
This test comes at a time of evolving regional security dynamics, notably amid tension with geopolitical rivals, and just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
India’s continuous advancements in missile technology, including recent tests of tactical and short-range ballistic missiles, reflect a broader commitment to strengthening national defense and strategic deterrence in a complex international environment. The Agni-5 remains a vital asset in ensuring India’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats while safeguarding its sovereignty and peace.
This milestone test firmly positions India among the few nations globally possessing MIRV-capable intercontinental ballistic missile technology, thereby marking a critical step in the nation’s defense and strategic capabilities.
