Key points
- Successful Agni-Prime test on September 24, 2025, from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher.
- First-of-its-kind rail launch in India, complementing existing road-mobile deployments.
- Missile range up to 2,000 km with canisterised, quick-reaction, low-signature operations.
- Conducted under an operational profile with Strategic Forces Command; all objectives met.
- Rail mobility adds survivability via dispersal, concealment, and rapid repositioning.
- Paves the way for induction of future rail-based systems alongside road-mobile units.
New Delhi: India successfully test-fired the Intermediate Range Agni-Prime from a rail-based mobile launcher on September 24, 2025, marking the first such launch and a major leap in road–rail missile mobility. The test is being hailed as a force multiplier and a game changer for the Strategic Forces Command.
What was tested
The Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted a successful flight of the Agni-Prime intermediate-range ballistic missile from a rail-based mobile launcher, validating key performance parameters under an operational scenario. The mission followed a “textbook” profile with trajectory tracking by range sensors and mission control, meeting all stated objectives.
Intermediate Range Agni-Prime Missile was successfully tested on 24 Sep 2025 from a Rail based Mobile launcher. This will be a force multiplier to strategic forces, with a game changer road cum rail missile system pic.twitter.com/bEmDQoHNUf
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) September 25, 2025
Why rail-based launch matters
A rail-based launcher allows missiles to be moved, concealed, and launched across a vast rail network, sharply increasing survivability against surveillance and preemptive strikes. Mobility on rails shortens reaction time, supports cross-country deployment, and enables deceptive basing concepts, including use of rail corridors and tunnels.
Agni-Prime capabilities
Agni-Prime is designed for ranges up to approximately 2,000 km and features canisterised storage and launch for rapid activation and reduced logistical footprint. The system incorporates modern guidance, advanced communications, electronic protection, and maintainability improvements to sustain high availability.
Road–rail integration
The demonstrated rail-mobile launch complements the already-inducted road-mobile variant, creating a dual-basining approach that complicates adversary targeting. Operating the same missile family from both road and rail platforms enhances flexibility in launch site selection and supports dispersed force posture.
Strategic impact
Rail mobility significantly strengthens second-strike credibility by enabling wide-area dispersal and frequent relocation, making detection and targeting more difficult. Together with road mobility, the rail option expands India’s playbook for deterrence signaling, survivable basing, and quick turn-around in crisis conditions.
What’s next
- Graduated user trials and validation for rail-mobile standard operating procedures.
- Integration of rail-based units into Strategic Forces Command deployment cycles.
- Parallel ramp-up of logistics, crew training, and infrastructure along priority rail corridors.
- Continued refinement of command, control, and communications for mixed road–rail operations.
