India on Friday successfully conducted the flight trial of an advanced Agni-5 missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, marking a significant enhancement in the country’s strategic strike capability. The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast under “Mission Divyastra”.
The MIRV-enabled missile successfully deployed multiple payloads aimed at different targets across a wide area in the Indian Ocean Region. With this capability, a single missile can carry and release several warheads, each capable of independently striking separate targets. The successful test places India among a limited group of countries possessing operational MIRV missile technology.
According to the Defence Ministry, the missile’s entire trajectory was monitored using a network of ground-based and ship-based tracking systems. Officials said the systems tracked the missile from launch until the impact of all payloads, confirming that all mission objectives were achieved successfully during the trial.
The missile tested is believed to be an upgraded variant of the Agni-5 system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation with support from domestic defence industries. Senior DRDO scientists and personnel from the Indian Army were present during the launch and validation exercise.
Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Army and industry partners after the successful test, stating that the development would significantly strengthen India’s defence preparedness amid growing regional and global security challenges. The Agni-5 missile has a strike range of nearly 5,000 kilometres, making it one of the most powerful strategic weapons in India’s arsenal.
The Agni missile series forms the backbone of India’s strategic deterrence capability. While Agni-1 to Agni-4 missiles already provide operational ranges between 700 and 3,500 kilometres, the Agni-5 substantially extends India’s reach. The latest MIRV test also follows India’s continued expansion of ballistic missile defence systems, including interceptor missile trials conducted in the Bay of Bengal as part of efforts to strengthen protection against hostile missile threats.
