Bhubaneswar, August 20: In a significant boost to India’s strategic defence capabilities, the country on Wednesday successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-5 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. The test, conducted on August 20, 2025, marks yet another milestone in India’s pursuit of strengthening its deterrence power and showcasing its indigenous missile development programme.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the launch was carried out under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), which is responsible for managing India’s nuclear arsenal. The ministry further confirmed that the missile met all predefined operational and technical parameters, thereby validating its reliability, accuracy, and advanced technological features.
The Agni-5 missile, one of the most advanced in India’s arsenal, is capable of striking targets at ranges of over 5,000 kilometres, bringing almost the entire Asian continent and parts of Europe within its reach. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile is designed with cutting-edge navigation and guidance systems that ensure high precision.
Defence officials stated that the test-firing not only reaffirms India’s capability to safeguard its sovereignty but also enhances its credibility as a responsible nuclear power. The success of the trial underscores the operational readiness of the missile system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the country’s credible minimum deterrence posture.
This successful mission comes at a time when India continues to strengthen its defence preparedness amid evolving regional and global security challenges. Experts believe that the Agni-5, with its long-range capabilities, reinforces India’s position in the exclusive group of nations possessing advanced ballistic missile technology.
