NEW DELHI — India on Thursday test-launched a nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile that is designed to use the country’s vast network of railways to avoid detection by enemy forces.
The Agni Prime missile was fired from a rail-based launcher pulled by an Indian Railways locomotive. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the successful mission demonstrated India’s growing strategic deterrence capabilities.
The next-generation Agni Prime is designed to cover a range of more than 1,200 miles and is equipped with “various advanced features,” Mr. Singh said in a statement.
“It has the capability to move on a rail network without any preconditions. It allows users to have cross-country mobility and launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility,” he said. “This successful flight has put India in the group of select nations having these capabilities.”
Until Thursday’s mission, the Agni Prime missile was deployed on truck launchers, but the new test firing marked its debut as a rail-based weapons platform. The missile launch was carried out by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization.
“It is self-sustained and is equipped with all independent launch capability features, including the state-of-the-art communications systems and protection mechanisms,” Indian defense officials said.
Ballistic missiles are traditionally launched from fixed missile sites. However, that leaves them vulnerable to a preemptive nuclear strike. India’s railway network is one of the largest and busiest in the world, comprising more than 42,000 miles of track. Indian officials refer to the system as “a vital component of national security.”
Missiles can now be deployed across the country, far from fixed silos or known bases. They can be hidden in train tunnels, moved under the cover of routine traffic, and launched from unexpected locations. This makes it far harder for enemy satellites or surveillance systems to detect and target them in advance, officials said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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