India on Thursday carried out the first-ever test launch of its Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system, marking a major step in the country’s missile program. The test was done from a platform specially built to run on the national railway network.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the achievement on X, calling it a “first-of-its-kind launch” that reflects India’s rising strategic strength.

“The first-of-its-kind launch carried out today from a specially designed rail-based Mobile Launcher has the capability to move on the Rail network without any preconditions, which allows users to have cross-country mobility and launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility,” Singh wrote.

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He congratulated the DRDO, Strategic Forces Command (SFC), and the Armed Forces for the successful test, adding: “This successful flight test has put India in the group of select nations having capabilities that have developed a canisterised launch system from a mobile rail network.”

What is the Agni-Prime missile?

The Agni-Prime is a new-generation ballistic missile with a strike range of up to 2,000 km. It is designed to be lighter and more advanced than older Agni-series missiles.

This test comes after a similar successful trial in August at Chandipur, Odisha.

Earlier in March 2024, India had tested the powerful Agni-5 missile under Mission Divyastra. That trial showcased the MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) technology, which allows a single missile to carry 3–4 nuclear warheads, each aimed at different targets.

Currently, the Strategic Forces Command (set up in 2003) operates only single-warhead missiles. The Agni-5, a solid-fuel, three-stage missile, is launched from a canister, making it quick to transport and deploy.