Missile Agni-Prime

The Agni-P is a two-stage, surface-to-surface, medium-range ballistic missile. Development originated as a successor to the Agni-I, incorporating technologies from the Agni-IV and Agni-V programs. The system was designed to replace earlier short-range ballistic missiles and to address regional maritime and land-based threats.

The missile utilizes solid composite propellant with aluminum fuel. It is a canister-launched system, stored in a hermetically sealed tandem twin canister which allows the warhead to be mated to the airframe during storage and transport. The system employs a cold launch mechanism and is capable of salvo mode operations. Guidance is provided by a dual redundant system incorporating a ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (INS) and a micro-INS, supplemented by GPS and NaVIC satellite navigation. The reentry vehicle is a Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MaRV) fitted with four delta fins for terminal maneuverability to counter interception by missile defense systems. Payload options include nuclear, high explosive, and thermobaric warheads. Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) configurations and a conventional boost-glide variant are also documented.

The system is operated by the Strategic Forces Command. It is deployed via road-mobile transporter erector launchers and rail-based mobile systems. The first developmental test occurred in June 2021, followed by tests in December 2021 and October 2022. User-led pre-induction trials included night launches in June 2023 and April 2024. The first rail-based mobile launch was conducted in September 2025. The missile is intended for both nuclear deterrence and conventional strike roles, including anti-ship applications.