In the year 2025, India sees its missile force at a crucial juncture, with indigenously developed missiles like Agni and Prithvi forming the cornerstone of the country’s security structure. As a result of decades of research and development, India has built a comprehensive arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles that serve both tactical and strategic purposes. Let’s take a closer look at India’s missile capabilities in 2025, with a focus on the role of the Agni and Prithvi series and what lies ahead for them.
Agni Series: Firepower and Expansion
The Agni missile series is a vital component of India’s strategic arsenal. As of 2025, the series consists of several operational missiles with varying range and specifications:
- Agni-I: It is a medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 700 to 1200 km. It is a reliable weapon for strategic targets and was inducted into the Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army in 2007.
- Agni-P (Agni-1 Prime): It is an advanced version of Agni-I with a range of 1000 to 2000 km. It is a two-stage solid propellant missile and is undergoing trials till 2025, after which it may be inducted into service. Its speciality is its better accuracy and long range capability.
- Agni-II: It is a medium-range ballistic missile, with a range of 2000 to 3500 kilometers. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and is an important part of the Indian arsenal.
- Agni-III: It is an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), with a range of 3000 to 5000 kilometers. It is a two-stage solid propellant missile and its high payload capacity makes it a powerful weapon.
- Agni-IV: It is also an IRBM, with a range of 3500 to 4000 kilometers. It has advanced avionics and an onboard computer, which provides corrections and guidance during flight.
- Agni-V: It is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of 7000 to 8000 km. It is a three-stage solid propellant missile and is equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) capability, which means it can engage multiple targets simultaneously. It is expected to be in active service by 2025 and significantly enhances India's strategic deterrence.
- Agni-VI: It is the most advanced missile in the series, still under development. It will have an estimated range of 11000 to 12000 km and will be capable of being launched from submarines and land-based platforms. It will also have MIRV capability, which will further enhance its strike capability.
The Agni series of missiles are notable not just for their strike power but also for their high speed, with the Agni-V capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 24 (about 29,400 km/h). Their accuracy is also being constantly improved, using satellite guidance systems such as the Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and GPS/NavIC.
Prithvi Series: Strategic Dominance
The Prithvi missile series represents India's surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), primarily designed for tactical roles:
- Prithvi-I: It is a single-stage liquid-fuelled missile with a range of 150 km and can carry a payload of up to 1000 kg. It was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994. However, with the increase in tactical capabilities, it is planned to be replaced with the more capable Prahaar missile.
- Prithvi-II: It is also a single-stage liquid-fuelled missile with a range of 250 to 350 km and can carry a payload of 500 to 1000 kg. It was primarily developed for the Indian Air Force.
- Prithvi-III: It is a two-stage solid-fuelled missile with a range of 350 to 750 kilometres and can carry a payload of 250 to 1000 kg. Its naval version, Dhanush, can be launched from ships and is capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 750 kilometres.
The Prithvi series of missiles offer quick reaction capability as they can be launched in less than 15 minutes from specialised Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicles. Their accuracy has also been improved, with the upgraded version of Prithvi-II having a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 metres.
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Way Forward: Future Directions
In 2025, India's missile development direction is focused on self-reliance and technological advancement. Some of the key areas being focused on are:
- Hypersonic Missiles: India is working on the development of next-generation hypersonic missiles, which can fly several times faster than the speed of sound and will be more capable of penetrating enemy air defence systems. BrahMos-II is an important project in this direction.
- Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM): India is developing long-range SLBMs like K-4 and K-5 to strengthen its nuclear deterrence. These missiles will provide India a credible second strike capability.
- Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) System: India is developing a multi-tiered ABM system, which includes interceptor missiles like Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD). The AD-2 missile, which has a range of over 5000 km, is scheduled for testing between 2024-2025 and will also be able to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles.
- Development of Cruise Missiles: India is also working on advanced versions of the long-range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay and the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, which will offer greater accuracy and strike capability. BrahMos-ER (Extended Range) is being developed with a range of up to 600 km.
- Indigenisation: India is focused on achieving self-reliance in missile technology. DRDO, Indian industry and ISRO are working together to develop critical technologies to reduce foreign dependency.
In 2025, India's missile force exhibits a strong and multi-faceted capability. The Agni and Prithvi series of missiles are important pillars of the country's security, providing deterrence at both tactical and strategic levels. With research and development efforts for the future, India is set to further advance its missile technology and consolidate its position as a leading power globally.
Also Read: Top 10 Deadliest Weapons in the Indian Army Arsenal in 2025
About the Author:
Kaif Ansari
