India on Thursday tested the Agni-Prime missile using a rail-mounted mobile launcher system. It was launched from a canisterized launching system, a specially designed train capable of reaching any corner of the country with a rail line. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh provided this information. The Agni-Prime missile is designed to have a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and is equipped with advanced features. Rajnath Singh wrote, “The specially designed rail-based mobile launcher is the first of its kind, capable of operating on all types of rail networks. This allows the Army to launch the missile in a short time, even in the dark of night and foggy areas.” This test puts India among a select group of countries that possess a canisterized launching system capable of launching missiles from a mobile rail network. Russia, China, and North Korea have previously tested mobile rail launchers. The United States is also included in this list, but the US government has never confirmed this. The Agni Prime missile, designed for India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC), was test-fired on September 25 from the Chandipur Integrated Test Range in Odisha. What is a Canisterized Launch System This is a modern technology for launching missiles. In this, the missile is kept in a sturdy canister (large metal container). This canister keeps the missile safe and makes it easy to transport and keep ready for launch. The missile can be fired directly from the canister without lengthy preparation. The missile remains protected from moisture, dust, weather and other adverse conditions. The canister can be placed on trucks, rails or mobile launchers to transport the missile anywhere. It becomes difficult for the enemy to identify which canister contains missiles and which doesn’t. Being packed in a canister means the missile doesn’t need frequent maintenance. Now learn about the Agni Prime missile… India tested Agni Prime, an advanced missile in the Agni series, in June 2021. Agni Prime has a range of 2,000 km. It is also capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed the missile, which is lightweight and can be fired from a mobile launcher. The Agni Prime missile is powered by a two-stage propulsion system and is solid-fuel-powered. Its guidance system is equipped with electromechanical actuators. Agni Prime is developed with technology from the Agni-4, which has a range of 4,000 km, and the Agni-5, which has a range of 5,000 km. The Agni missile was first tested in 1989 India tested the Agni missile in 1989. The missile had a range of 700 to 900 km. It was inducted into the military in 2004. To date, India has launched five Agni series missiles. Before the rail launcher system, India successfully tested a missile fired from a drone in July 2025. The missile was tested at the National Open Area Testing Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. This precision-guided missile is named ULPGM-V3. It is an advanced version of the ULPGM-V2. This smart missile is launched from a drone and can accurately destroy enemy targets day and night, in all weather conditions. Once launched, the target can be changed at any time. DRDO’s missile tests conducted so far in 2025
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