📌 Topic 02 of 6 · Chapter 02 · Defence Technology & DRDO
Agni Missile Series — I to V
Agni I to Agni V ICBM, range, nuclear capability — complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
🚀 Agni Missile Series
| Missile | Type | Range | Fuel | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agni-I | Short-range ballistic missile | 700–1,200 km | Solid | Nuclear-capable; road-mobile; inducted into Army |
| Agni-II | Medium-range ballistic missile | 2,000–3,500 km | Solid | Nuclear-capable; can reach most of Pakistan and parts of China |
| Agni-III | Intermediate-range ballistic missile | 3,500–5,000 km | Solid | Nuclear-capable; can reach all of China |
| Agni-IV | Intermediate-range ballistic missile | 3,500–4,000 km | Solid | Advanced; road-mobile; composite rocket motor |
| Agni-V | ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) | 5,000–8,000 km | Solid | Can reach all of China, Europe; MIRV capable; canister-launched |
| Agni-P (Prime) | New generation ballistic missile | 1,000–2,000 km | Solid | Lighter, more accurate; canister-launched; replaces Agni-I and II |
🚀 Agni-V — India’s ICBM
- Range: 5,000–8,000 km — classifies as ICBM (range >5,500 km)
- Can reach all of China, Europe, and parts of Africa
- MIRV capable — Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicles — can carry multiple warheads
- Canister-launched — can be stored and transported easily; quick launch
- Makes India one of the few countries with ICBM capability (USA, Russia, China, France, UK, India)
- First test: April 19, 2012
- Inducted into Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
⭐ Key Facts — Agni Missiles:
• All Agni missiles = surface-to-surface ballistic missiles = nuclear-capable
• All use solid fuel = quick launch = easy storage
• Agni-V = ICBM = 5,000–8,000 km = MIRV capable
• Agni-P = new generation = lighter = more accurate = replaces Agni-I & II
• Agni missiles are part of India’s nuclear triad (land leg)
• All Agni missiles = surface-to-surface ballistic missiles = nuclear-capable
• All use solid fuel = quick launch = easy storage
• Agni-V = ICBM = 5,000–8,000 km = MIRV capable
• Agni-P = new generation = lighter = more accurate = replaces Agni-I & II
• Agni missiles are part of India’s nuclear triad (land leg)