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India created a sensation of sorts by test firing three missiles on 17 Jul 2025 , two of them being nuclear capable. While test firing of missiles is not new and is a routine procedure for new missiles as well as for the missiles already in service, these tests carried out within a span of 24 hours and in the wake of the recent Indo-Pak conflict during Operation Sindoor and the history of Indo-China relations, become quite significant considering the geo-political environment in our immediate eastern and western neighbourhood. The tests were carried out under the aegis of Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Armed Forces which is responsible for managing and deploying India’s nuclear arsenal and is answerable only to the highest authority of the country. All three test launches were carried out after India announced the standard notices for undertaking such an exercise and NOTAM duly issued for safety of Air and Marine traffic.
While technical details of the missiles can be easily found out from open sources and government websites, it is important to know that two of the missiles that were tested, Agni 1 and Prithvi 2 are Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM), capable of delivering nuclear warheads besides the conventional unitary and submunition non-nuclear warheads. While Prithvi 2 has a range of 250 to 350 Km with payload weighing from 500 to 1000 Kg, Agni 1 has a range of 700 to 1200 Km and can carry a payload up to 1000 Kg. The two Surface to Surface missiles can be used to annihilate vital and strategic targets in China and Pakistan. With a declared range of 1200 Km, Agni 1 effectively covers the entire geographical expanse of Pakistan. Both missiles are launched from truck based launchers and hence have the required mobility for quick deployment and can be fired from different locations.
The third missile, Akash Prime is an advanced version of Akash 1 and 1S missiles which were battle tested during Operation Sindoor and had effectively shot down drones and missiles launched by Pakistan (which were majorly of Chinese and Turkish origin). What makes the Akash Prime missile special is that it has been improved and modified for deployment and operation in extreme high altitudes. At 15000 feet, in the rarefied Himalayan air of Ladakh, the Akash Prime missile shot down two high speed aerial targets with pin point accuracy during the test launch.
Akash Prime is a technically superior Surface to Air Missile and part of India’s homemade Air Defence System. It can carry a payload up to 60 Kg for a range of 20 Km and will be extremely effective against enemy missiles, aircrafts and drones in high altitude because of its advanced automatic guidance system and self threat evaluation capability which enables it to have mid-course corrections. This makes Akash Prime a deadly fire and forget missile which actively seeks out its target and destroys it with precision. The launchers for Akash Prime missiles are light and extremely mobile and each launcher can fire up to three missiles at a time to engage three different targets. Akash Prime missiles will augment the Layered Air Defence System functioning under the Integrated Air Command of India. This multi layered air defence system which involves all the three services viz. Army, Navy and Air Force has effectively countered the enemy missile and drone attacks during Operation Sindoor.
The three missiles Agni-1, Prithvi-2 and Akash Prime have been successfully tested for all technical and operational parameters according to the Strategic Forces Command of India, thus confirming their readiness for deployment as per the situational requirement. The Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh has duly congratulated Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Armed Forces and all other agencies involved in the projects for this success.
While Prithvi and Akash are not new missiles and have been developed and integrated into our Armed Forces for some years now, the present tests must have also confirmed the modifications and improvements in their navigation, guidance and other crucial systems which is an ongoing process for all ammunition and weapon platforms.
These missile tests, carried out with such clinical precision, must have surely rattled the powers in Rawalpindi and Beijing and made them lose some precious sleep. While the winds blowing from the east seem to be getting milder especially after the latest high level interaction between India and China, the recent happenings along the Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh borders viz. Galwan Valley, Pangong Lake, Depsang Plains in Ladakh, and the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh cannot be overseen or taken lightly. On the western front, Pakistan must be seething from the bloody nose received during Operation Sindoor and will be definitely planning a misadventure, it’s favourite pastime and preoccupation for the past 78 years.
Most probably piqued and intimidated by India’s successful missile tests, Pakistan too hastily carried out its nuclear-capable Shaheen-III ballistic missile test on 22 July 2025, which as per news reports went awfully awry, with the missile not only falling way short of its target but also its wreckage landing perilously close to populated areas. The Shaheen-III is supposedly Pakistan’s most potent missile. It is a surface-to-surface medium range ballistic missile with a range of 2,750 km, and in theory capable of reaching key Indian cities such viz Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Pakistan sees it as an essential component of its defense strategy, especially as a countermeasure against India’s military might in general and missile might in particular. Yet, a series of successive test failures is increasingly raising questions over its operational readiness. Pictures and videos of the failed missile test and the dangerous wreckage which landed near a populated area of Baluchistan was splashed all over the media. Compare that to media reports of India’s successful missiles tests in print and on television screens which showcased our military prowess, intent and capability.
In more than one way, the successful missile tests confirm India’s operational readiness, in attack as well as defence. It also defines India’s resolve to defend its territorial integrity and against any misadventure by the adversaries and also exhibit our capability to deliver swift punitive retaliation with lethality and precision.
Unlike the Pakistani Shaheen III and other missiles, which are either completely of Chinese origin or have more than a generous amount of Chinese involvement in technology and production, a pertinent and unmistakable aspect of India’s successful missile tests is that they are entirely of Indian origin. It is another of the many steps firmly taken forward in the mission for becoming self-reliant in defence production. It is a proud exhibition of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’. The precision strikes by the three missiles definitely boosts the confidence of the nation, the government and the Armed Forces for taking on any type of challenge posed by our adversaries, strategic (nuclear) or otherwise.
Note : None of the above mentioned details are classified. The details including those of the missiles mentioned above are available on public platforms and open sources viz. print and electronic media.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.