India has successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile as a further show of nuclear strength following a recent conflict with rival neighbour Pakistan.
The country’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, complimented its army and defence researchers for the “remarkable achievement”, achieved on Thursday, July 17. Both Prithvi-II and Agni-I weapons were fired from an integrated test range off India’s southeast coast, showcasing its strategic deterrence capability.
On May 7, as part of Operation Sindoor, India hit Pakistan with airstrikes, claiming it was a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack in the Jammu and Kashmir region, which is subject to a regional dispute between the two countries. Twenty-six civilians were killed in the attack, which India accused Pakistan of supporting, which the latter nation denies.
The world watched on with bated breath as the two nuclear neighbours traded airstrikes for four days before US President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire which is still being observed. India claimed 21 civilians and 8 military and paramilitary deaths from the conflict, while Pakistan estimated 40 civilians and 13 military personnel were killed in the shelling.
These latest missile tests, conducted by India’s Strategic Forces Command, “validated all operational and technical parameters,” according to the defence ministry. The Prithvi-II missile boasts a firing range of around 217 miles, carrying payloads of up to 500 kg and offering nuclear capability.
Meanwhile, the nuclear-capable Agni-I missile offers an extended strike range of up to 560 miles and a larger 1,000 kg payload, according to Indian defence sources.
Prior to their testing, India had also test-fired its Akash Prime missile, in Ladakh, which had been exclusively developed inside the country.
“Short-range ballistic missiles, Prithvi-II and Agni-I, were successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha on July 17,” the ministry confirmed in a statement, adding: “These tests were conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.”
The ministry described the Akash Prime launch as being an “exceptional performance” of its indigenously developed air defence systems during Operation Sindoor.
It continued in a separate statement: “India on July 16 achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two aerial high-speed unmanned targets at high altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime, the upgraded variant of Akash weapon system for the Indian Army.”
Akash Prime projectiles can reportedly operate in high altitudes, above 4,500m, and are equipped with radio frequency seeking technology.
“Based on the operational feedback from users, various upgrades are made to improve the operational effectiveness, demonstrating the advantage of the ecosystem created for the indigenous weapon system,” the statement claimed.