India Successfully Tests Agni-5 Missile, Capable of Striking Targets Across Asia

India successfully test-fired its Agni-5 ballistic missile, capable of hitting targets up to 5,000 km away. The launch highlights India’s growing strategic deterrence, covering almost all of Asia. This advanced missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, reaffirms India’s defense readiness amid heightened regional tensions and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

India has successfully test-fired the Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile, reaffirming its strategic deterrence capability and bolstering national defense amid rising regional tensions. The missile, capable of reaching targets up to 5,000 km away, was launched from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command.

The defence ministry confirmed that all operational and technical parameters were validated during the test. The Agni-5 missile can target almost the entire Asian continent—including northern China—and even parts of Europe, making it a central asset in India’s nuclear arsenal.

This launch comes three-and-a-half months after Operation Sindoor, a military engagement with Pakistan, and follows the previous Agni-5 test conducted in March 2024. The timing underscores India’s focus on maintaining robust deterrent capabilities amid complex geopolitical challenges.

Agni-5 features a three-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and is launched from mobile platforms, allowing greater flexibility and rapid deployment. It is equipped to carry nuclear warheads and uses advanced guidance systems for enhanced accuracy.

India's missile arsenal includes the deployed Agni-1 through Agni-4 series, with ranges between 700 km and 3,500 km, as well as short-range systems like the Prithvi-II and Agni-I. Recently, India also tested the tactical surface-to-surface missile Pralay, designed for conventional strikes.

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With these developments, India continues to strengthen its strategic posture, emphasizing readiness and technological advancement in missile capabilities. Experts view Agni-5 as a credible deterrent, especially in light of security concerns involving both China and Pakistan.