New Delhi, July 17: India on Thursday successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, reinforcing its strategic deterrence capabilities. Conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), the missile trials met all operational and technical parameters, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.
The test comes just a day after India’s successful firing of the Akash Prime missile in the high-altitude region of Ladakh, aimed at bolstering the country’s air defence near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Prithvi-II and Agni-I: Core of India’s Nuclear Arsenal
The Prithvi-II missile, with a range of around 350 km, is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a payload capacity of up to 500 kg. The Agni-I, with a longer range of 700–900 km, can carry 1,000 kg payloads and is a critical component of India’s nuclear triad.
“These launches validated all operational and technical parameters,” the defence ministry said in an official statement, highlighting the preparedness and reliability of India’s indigenous missile systems.
Akash Prime Missile Test in Ladakh: Altitude Combat Capability Boosted
On Wednesday, India also achieved a breakthrough by test-firing the Akash Prime, an indigenously developed surface-to-air missile, customised to operate at altitudes above 4,500 metres.
The successful interception of two aerial high-speed unmanned targets at high altitude during the test marked a significant milestone, particularly in mountain warfare capability. The Akash Prime is an advanced version of the Akash missile system, featuring a radio frequency seeker and other upgrades based on real-time operational feedback.
This achievement follows the stellar performance of India’s indigenous air defence systems in Operation Sindoor, underlining the reliability of locally developed weapons platforms.
Rajnath Singh Hails DRDO and Forces
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the Indian Army, DRDO, and the domestic defence industry for these technological feats. “This is a remarkable achievement that reflects the strength of India’s indigenous defence ecosystem,” the ministry quoted him as saying.
