India on February 6, 2026, successfully carried out a test launch of the intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-3 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.
The test validated all key operational and technical parameters of the missile. It was conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command, reaffirming the system’s reliability and operational preparedness.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said the Agni-3 was successfully test-fired from Chandipur and that the launch met all mission objectives.
The Agni series remains a crucial pillar of India’s strategic deterrence capability. The series includes Agni-1 with a strike range of 700 km, Agni-2 with 2,000 km, Agni-3 with 3,000 km, Agni-4 with a reach of 4,000 km, and Agni-5, which can strike targets up to 5,000 km away.
Sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the 700-km range Agni-1 can engage targets at distances as short as 220 km. This allows it to overlap with the operational range of the Prithvi missile series, which is capable of hitting targets between 150 km and 350 km.
Officials had earlier expressed concerns that the launch of short-range ballistic missiles could potentially trigger panic or misinterpretation by adversaries, possibly escalating tensions. Although the missile has reportedly not been inducted by the Indian Army, it has drawn interest from some friendly foreign nations, which have approached India regarding possible exports.
With the Agni missile series and the BrahMos tactical cruise missile, India maintains strike capability across a wide spectrum of distances. While BrahMos can engage targets between 30 km and 300 km, the Agni missiles cover longer ranges extending up to 5,000 km.