Bhubaneswar, February 6: India has successfully test-fired the Agni-3 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. The launch, conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, validated all critical operational and technical parameters, marking a significant achievement in the country’s defense capabilities.

With a range of 3,000 to 3,500 kilometers, the Agni-3 missile plays a pivotal role in India’s strategic deterrence, allowing the country to strike deep within enemy territory if required.

About the Agni-3 Ballistic Missile

The Agni-3 is a nuclear-capable, intermediate-range ballistic missile, designed to deliver a powerful strategic punch. It has a reach that enables it to target strategic sites up to 3,500 kilometers away, enhancing the Indian military's operational flexibility. Defense officials have emphasized that the successful test reinforces the missile’s reliability and readiness.

While several variants of the Agni missile family, including upgraded versions, have been successfully test-fired in recent years, the Agni-3 remains a cornerstone of India’s deterrent capability, holding significant strategic importance.

The missile is a two-stage, solid-fuel-powered system. The first stage burns to propel the missile into its flight path, and once it depletes, the second stage ignites, ensuring a stable and accurate trajectory toward the target.

This successful test further solidifies India’s strategic missile systems portfolio and underscores its ongoing commitment to maintaining a credible minimum deterrent.