DRDO launches Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher for the first time
DRDO and the Strategic Forces Command successfully launched the intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher on 24 September 2025, the first launch of its kind.
Summary
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), successfully launched the intermediate-range Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher under a full operational scenario on 24 September 2025. The next-generation missile has a range of up to 2,000 km. The specially designed launcher can move on the rail network without pre-conditions, offers cross-country mobility and can launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the test put India in a select group of nations that have developed a canisterised launch system from the rail network. The road-mobile Agni-P has already been inducted into service.
Key facts
- Launched
- 24 Sep 2025, DRDO with Strategic Forces Command
- Missile
- Agni-Prime (intermediate range), up to 2,000 km
- First
- First launch from a rail-based mobile launcher
- Launcher
- Moves on rail network without pre-conditions; short reaction time
- Significance
- India joins select nations with canisterised rail-based launch
- Already inducted
- Road-mobile Agni-P
Practice MCQs 4 questions
From what kind of platform was the Agni-Prime missile launched for the first time on 24 September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — A rail-based mobile launcher
DRDO and SFC launched Agni-Prime from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher – a first-of-its-kind launch.
What is the range of the Agni-Prime missile, as stated by DRDO?
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Correct answer: D — Up to 2,000 km
The next-generation Agni-Prime missile is designed to cover a range of up to 2,000 km.
Which organisation carried out the rail-based Agni-Prime launch along with DRDO in September 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Strategic Forces Command
DRDO carried out the launch in collaboration with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
Consider the following statements about the Agni-Prime launch of 24 September 2025: 1. It was the first-ever flight test of the Agni-Prime missile. 2. The road-mobile version of Agni-P has already been inducted into service. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 is wrong: it was the first launch from a rail-based launcher; the road-mobile Agni-P was inducted after a series of successful flight trials.