Missile Agni-I

The Agni-I is a single-stage, solid-fuel short-range ballistic missile developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. Development was initiated following the Kargil War to address a capability gap between the Prithvi-II and Agni-II systems. The system reached completion approximately 15 months after the Agni-II. Initial testing occurred on May 22, 1989, followed by the first road-mobile launch on January 25, 2002.

The missile utilizes a single-stage composite rocket motor powered by solid propellant. Guidance is provided by a ring laser gyro inertial navigation system integrated with multi-global navigation satellite systems for mid-course flight, while terminal guidance employs radar scene matching. The re-entry vehicle incorporates body-lift aerodynamics for trajectory correction and thermal stress reduction. Certain variants include a velocity correction package using solid-fueled thruster cartridges to trim launch trajectory variances. The platform supports multiple payload configurations, including unitary high-explosive, penetration, cluster, incendiary, and thermobaric conventional munitions, as well as strategic nuclear warheads.

The Agni-I is operated by the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army and is assigned to the 334 Missile Group. It is deployed on 8x8 Tatra transporter erector launchers and rail-mobile platforms. The Strategic Forces Command conducts regular user trials to maintain operational readiness, with tests recorded in 2007, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2025. The system is being supplemented by the two-stage Agni-1P variant, which incorporates technologies from later Agni iterations.