Agni P MRBM
The Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system. The Agni-P missile boasts several key features that make it a significant addition to India's defence arsenal. The missile's canisterised design allows for easy transportation and storage, reducing the time required for launch preparations.
Agni-P boasts of enhanced accuracy being the first Indian missile with a Manoeuvrable Re-entry Vehicle, that also makes it harder to intercept. It is a can be launched from rail and road and stored for a longer period. It can be transported across the length and breadth of the country, as per requirements. Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility.
The Agni-Prime, also known as the Agni-P, is a new generation of Indian missiles. Initially named Agni-1P and weighing 50 percent less than Agni 3, there seemed to be two different missiles. The first [Agni-1P] with a range of less than 1,000 km, the other [Agni-P] with a range of some 2,000 km. In 2021 the Government stated "Agni P is a new generation advanced variant of Agni class of missiles. It is a canisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 kms."
Agni-P can strike targets at ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers, boasts increased accuracy, and is lighter than previous versions. The missile uses a ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (INS) and a micro inertial navigation system (MINS), with optional GPS and NaVIC satellite navigation. Agni Prime can be manoeuvred at the point of entry into the earth’s atmosphere, a feature that is usually not available in a ballistic missile.
The nuclear-capable Agni-P was first successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 28 June 2021. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the New Generation Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Agni P from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha, Balasore at 1055 hrs on June 28, 2021. Various telemetry and radar stations positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile. The missile followed text book trajectory, meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha at 1106 hrs on December 18, 2021. Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters. The missile followed text book trajectory meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy.
The Agni P was successfully flight-tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on 08 June 2023. Agni Prime had cleared all tests and is set to be inducted into India’s arsenal.
India successfully tested the Agni-Prime intermediate-range nuclear missile from a new rail-mobile launcher. The launch took place on September 24, 2025, and was jointly organized by the state-run DRDO and the Strategic Command, the country's Ministry of Defense reported. This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance of all the advanced technologies integrated into the system.
The key feature of the tests was the use of a specially developed rail launch system. This method allows for the transport and launch of missiles directly from rolling stock, using the existing rail network. This increases mobility, reduces the likelihood of detection, and shortens launch preparation time. The system is equipped with modern communications and protective mechanisms, allowing it to be used even in challenging conditions.
"The first-of-its-kind launch carried out from specially designed Rail based Mobile Launcher, has the capability to move on Rail network without any pre-conditions that allows User to have a cross country mobility and launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
The tests were deemed a complete success: the missile followed the intended trajectory, and its flight was tracked by ground stations. Experts believe that the introduction of rail-based launchers will be a significant step in strengthening India's defense capabilities amid growing tensions in Asia and will allow the country to become one of the few countries possessing such technology.
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