| Agni-Prime | |
|---|---|
 The Agni-P, photographed during its first test launch in 2021. | |
| Type | Medium-range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Pre-induction Trials |
| Used by | Strategic Forces Command |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11,000 kg (24,000 lb) |
| Length | 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in) |
| Diameter | 1.15 m (3 ft 9 in) |
| Warhead | 2 ×maneuverableMIRV[1][2] (high explosive,thermobaric andnuclear) |
| Warhead weight | 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) – 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) |
| Engine | Two stagerocket motor with third stageMaRV[3][2] |
| Propellant | Solid fuel |
Operational range | 1,000–2,000 kilometres (620–1,240 mi)[4] |
Guidance system | Ring laser gyroinertial navigation system with redundant micro inertial navigation anddigital control system. Optionally augmented byGPS/NavICsatellite guidance.[5] |
| Accuracy | <10 mCEP[6] |
Launch platform | Mobile rail-launcher Transporter erector launcher[4] |
Agni-Prime orAgni-P (Sanskrit: अग्नि;IAST: Agni;lit.Fire) is a two-stage, surface to surface, canister-launched, road mobile and solid-fueledmedium-range ballistic missile being developed by India'sDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as the sixth missile in theAgni series.[7] It is intended to be deployed in the operational service of theStrategic Forces Command, and to feature significant upgrades to the composite motor casing, amaneuverable reentry vehicle (MaRV) along with improvedpropellants,navigation andguidance systems.[8]
In 2016, Indian media began reporting that DRDO was developing a successor to the Agni-I called Agni-1P, which would feature two stages that borrowed the newer technologies fromAgni-IV andAgni-V to increase accuracy and reliability.[9] According to a senior scientist[who?] from theDRDO's missile complex in Hyderabad:[10]
“As our ballistic missiles grew in range, our technology grew in sophistication. Now the early, short-range missiles, which incorporate older technologies, will be replaced by missiles with more advanced technologies. Call it backward integration of technology”
India started working onarea denial weapons after China developed theDF-21D andDF-26B ballistic missiles with nuclear capability to counter theUS Navy, as well as capable of threateningAndersen Air Force Base. As a counterbalance, the progress of Agni-P became a crucial part of India'sIndo-Pacific strategy to tackle China's plan of having five or sixaircraft carrier battle groups by 2035 to cover both thePacific Ocean andIndian Ocean.[11][12][13]
Agni-P is a two-stage,solid-propellant missile. All stages usescomposite propellant, where the powder oxidizer is mixed with a metal fuel along with a bind being put in place. Aluminium is used as fuel; itsspecific energy density gives it the capability to deliver high performance. This gives the missile, a betterpayload ratio and thus a larger payload that has been mounted on a missile can be lifted up with a less quantity of propellant. It is a new class of missile in Agni Series which is half the weight ofAgni-III. Both first and second stage of Agni-P are made up of corrosion free composite material for the purpose of weight reduction, which was mastered duringAgni-V project.[14][15]
The missile can cover a maximum distance of 2000 km with 1.5 ton payload. According to analysts, Agni-P is primarily aimed at countering Pakistan's forces as its range is insufficient to reach all parts of mainland China. Given the missile's range, analysts at theInternational Institute for Strategic Studies believe that Agni-P primarily counters Pakistan and intends to replace older and less compact short-range ballistic missiles such as theAgni-I andAgni-II.[8]
The missile is stored in ahermetically sealed tandem twin canister launcher and is transported through road and rail. This process enables the warhead to be mated and stored with the missile, significantly reducing the time required for preparation and launch.[8] It usescold launch mechanism and can be fired in salvo mode. When a cold launch of a canisterised missile is done and when it uses a solid propellant, then it would be an edge for India for conducting nuclear strikes in a shorter amount of time from any terrain.[14]
The test launches of the missile seemingly uses a canistered 12x12 axleTATRA truck, it may be for test purposes only, the compactness of the missile points to a future possibility of a smaller and more mobile launcher than the cumbersomeAgni-I mobile-erector launchers (MELs) and the rail-mountedAgni-II launchers. This increased mobility could provide India with greater deployment options and the canisterisation providing added protection from external elements for prolonged periods.[16] The launch platform is expected to be canistered from an 8x8 axleTATRABEMLTransporter erector launcher.[17]
Agni-P utilizes dual redundant navigation and guidance system based on an advanced ring laser gyro-basedinertial navigation system (INS) and a modern micro inertial navigation system (MINS), and utilizes technology previously incorporated inAgni-IV andAgni-V. The missile is optionally augmented byGPS andNaVIC satellite navigation systems.[14][17][18]
Agni-P can be mated to aManeuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV). The warhead is reportedly equipped with four delta fins and can utilize its terminal maneuverability to make itself more difficult formissile defense systems to intercept.[19][20] According toV. K. Saraswat,MIRV and MaRV warhead technology were already in advanced stages of development forAgni-VI in 2013.[21][22] DRDO is expected by some Indian defense sources to be planning to develop ananti-ship variant of the Agni-P missile platform.[23][24]
The missile will be operationalised underStrategic Forces Command (SFC) after completing the pre-induction trials. The first pre-induction night launch conducted by the SFC in June 2023 after three successful developmental trials of the missile, validating the accuracy and reliability of the system. Senior officials fromDRDO and Strategic Forces Command witnessed the successful flight-test, which has paved the way for induction of the system into the Armed Forces.[25][26]
| Date/Time (IST) | Configuration | Launch Site | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | |||
| Payload | Function | ||
| Remarks | |||
| 28 JUN 2021 10:55 AM | Canistered road mobileTEL | ITR Launch Complex 4 | Success |
| DRDO | 2 xMaRV[27] | First test launch | |
| 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.[28] | |||
| 18 DEC 2021 11:06 AM | Canistered road mobileTEL | ITR Launch Complex 4 | Success |
| DRDO | ? xMaRV | Second test launch | |
| The missile followed text book trajectory meeting all mission objectives with high level of accuracy as per the tracking by telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and down range ships positioned along the eastern coast. This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance of all the advanced technologies and additional features integrated into the system.[29][30] | |||
| 21 OCT 2022 9:45 AM | Canistered road mobileTEL | ITR Launch Complex 4 | Success |
| DRDO | ? xMaRV | Third test launch | |
| During the test flight, the missile travelled the maximum range and all test objectives were successfully met. With this third consecutive successful flight test of the missile, the accuracy and reliability of the system has been established. Performance of system has been validated using the data obtained by a number of range instrumentation like Radar, Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking systems deployed at different locations including two down range ships at terminal point to cover entire trajectory.[31][14][32] | |||
| User Trial Launches | |||
| 07 JUN 2023 | Canistered road mobileTEL | ITR Launch Complex 4 | Success |
 Strategic Forces Command | ? xMaRV | First night trial | |
| This was the first pre-induction night launch conducted by the users after three successful developmental trials of the missile, validating the accuracy and reliability of the system. Range Instrumentation like Radar, Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking Systems were deployed at different locations, including two down-range ships, at the terminal point to capture flight data covering the entire trajectory of the vehicle.[25][18] | |||
| 03 APR 2024 07:00 PM | Canistered road mobileTEL | ITR Launch Complex 4 | Success |
| Strategic Forces Command | ? xMaRV | Second night trial | |
| This test was the second night trail conducted by Strategic Forces Command (SFC), along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test met all the trial objectives validating its reliable performance, as confirmed from the data captured by a number of range sensors deployed at different locations, including two downrange ships placed at the terminal point.[33] | |||
In June 2021, India tested the nuclear capable version of Agni-P successfully, followingly the post on social media platformX by Defense Minister was[34]
"Congratulations toDRDO for the maiden successful flight test of Agni P, advanced variant of Agni class of missiles. I compliment the efforts of the team behind this mission.
Many advance technologies including Composites, Propulsion Systems, innovative Guidance and Control mechanisms and state of the art navigation systems have been introduced.
The Agni P missile would further strengthen India's Credible Deterrence capabilities.”
-Defense Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh
Indian defence experts view it as part of work in progress towards an advanceanti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) development for enhancing futuresea denial capability against Chinesecarrier battle groups in theIndian Ocean Region (IOR).[35]
| BM-04 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium-range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Under development |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11,500 kg (25,400 lb) |
| Length | 10.2 m (33 ft 6 in) |
| Diameter | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) |
| Warhead | Boostglide vehicle with conventional warhead |
| Warhead weight | 500 kg (1,100 lb) |
| Engine | Two stagerocket motor |
| Propellant | Solid fuel |
Operational range | 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) |
Guidance system | Inertial navigation system; optionally augmented byGPS/NavICsatellite guidance |
| Accuracy | <30 mCEP |
Launch platform | Canister-based12×12Tatra truckTEL |
DRDO has developed a number of missiles for the Indian Armed Forces. These include theK Missile family, thePrithvi series, theAgni series,Pralay,Prahaar andShaurya. With the exception of the Pralay and Prahaar missiles, which carry conventional warheads with a restricted range of up to 150–500 km (93–311 mi) and are intended for tactical battlefield assistance, the majority of the long-range missiles havenuclear warheads. The development of a conventionally armed missile with a range of more than 1,500 km (930 mi) was therefore deemed necessary in order to counter ship-based threats in theIndian Ocean,Bay of Bengal, andArabian Sea, as well as land-based threats from beyond theLine of Actual Control (LAC) in the provinces ofXinjiang,Tibet, andYunnan. To address this requirement, by September 2022, DRDO had completed design work of another land-based 1,500 km (930 mi) range missile to attack targets acrossLine of Actual Control with an anti ship variant against aircraft carriers to cover Indian carriers in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.[36]
On 5 November 2023, a report suggested that the Indian Armed Forces were considering the induction of a 1,500 km range-class conventional ballistic missile for the proposedIntegrated Rocket Force. The design of the missile could be inherited from an existing ballistic missile of theStrategic Forces Command.[37] As reported on April 2024, the missile was under development.[38]
The DRDO introduced a full-scale model of the BM-04 hypersonic ballistic missile at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defence exhibition inHyderabad. The missile design closely resembled Agni Prime missile with a 10.2 m (33 ft) length, 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) diameter and weight of 11,500 kg (25,400 lb). The missile would be two staged solid propulsion with a range of 400–1,500 km (250–930 mi). The missile guided byIRNSS orGPS will have an accuracy of under <30 m (98 ft)CEP. Thereentry vehicle of the missile was designed to be aboostglide vehicle with an expected terminal speed of overMach 5 (1.7 km/s). The reentry vehicle featured fixed wings in the middle and control fins in the rear and is to be equipped with over 500 kg (1,100 lb) conventional warhead. The BM-04 will be tasked to "neutralise enemyanti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities and ensure that the Indian defence forces do not face any operational restrictions in a highly contested battlefield".[39][40]
Media related toAgni-P at Wikimedia Commons
