India’s Agni Prime missile has achieved another great feat. This time Agni was fired from a rail-based launch, after which the world’s attention has focused on India’s test. This has spread a lot of concern and panic in China and Pakistan. This missile is giving new heights to India’s defense capability and is being called a weapon like ‘Ghost Train’, because it can easily hide on India’s vast railway network and becomes difficult for the enemy to track.
Fire moving at a speed of 9 thousand km
Agni Prime was successfully tested on 24 December 2025 from the Integrated Test Range of Odisha, which was conducted from a rail-based mobile launcher. This missile is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), whose range is about 2 thousand kilometers. It is a solid-propellant missile, and is canister launched. Because of this, there is no need for fueling and it can be launched very fast. Its speed is 8,500 to 9,000 kilometers per hour, which makes it a new generation missile. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, which has strengthened India’s nuclear deterrence.
Being rail-based, it is mobile and adept at hiding. For enemy satellites, finding it is like ‘looking for a needle in a thousand tons of hay’. Although the cost of launch by rail is higher, it is considered necessary for national security. India has deployed it at two main places:
- Dehu in Pune district of Maharashtra (less than 700 km from the Pakistan border).
- Missa in Nagaon district of Assam (perfect place to target China).
Rail siding, retractable shelter and launch area are ready here.
China and Pakistan will tremble with the power of fire
The biggest reason for fear in China and Pakistan is its mobility and ability to hide. According to American think tank IISS, rail-mounted missiles are inherently mobile and difficult to track. For Pakistan, as the distance from Dehu decreases, the entire country comes under target. It becomes easier for China to attack from areas like Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east. Retired Lieutenant Colonel JS Sodhi said that in view of China’s aggression, India needs such missiles which can completely destroy specific areas of the enemy.
Which countries have rail-based missiles?
Fewer countries in the world have rail-based missiles:
- Russia did RT-23 and Bargugin projects, but discontinued them due to being expensive.
- America considered Peacekeeper but did not take it forward.
- China tested DF-41 but could not achieve full rail capability.
- North Korea claimed Hwasong-11A.
India’s Agni Prime missile will replace the aging Agni-I, Agni-II and like the Agni-III is rail-mobile. The lesson learned from the Iran-Israel war in June 2025 is that mobile launchers can be destroyed, but it is possible to remain invisible on the rail network. IISS says this capability helps in first strike defense, but poses a challenge to arms control. The test shows the success of India’s missile programme, which focuses on Cold War-inspired rail-mobile technology. This strengthens India’s credible minimum deterrence and is changing the strategic balance for neighboring countries.
