Why in news?
India successfully conducted a night‑time flight test of the Agni‑5 ballistic missile in August 2025. The test validated the missile’s operational readiness and precision.
Features of Agni‑5
- Range: The missile can carry a nuclear or conventional payload over 5,000 kilometres, placing major Asian and some European cities within reach.
- Propulsion and structure: It is a three‑stage, solid‑fuel missile. Solid fuel allows for faster launch and better storage.
- Accuracy: Equipped with advanced inertial navigation and ring‑laser gyroscopes, it has a high degree of precision.
- Canisterisation: The missile is stored and launched from a sealed canister mounted on a road‑mobile launcher. This improves mobility, reduces launch time and enhances safety.
Significance
Agni‑5 is part of India’s credible minimum deterrent. It demonstrates indigenous technological capabilities and contributes to strategic stability in South Asia. The successful test also paves the way for future advancements, such as multiple independently targetable re‑entry vehicles (MIRVs) that allow a single missile to hit multiple targets.