Agni-Prime Missile Test from Rail-Based Launcher
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Launch Platform: BEFORE, the Agni-Prime was deployed exclusively via road-mobile Transporter Erector Launchers. NOW, it can be launched from specialized railcars, allowing it to seamlessly move across the vast Indian railway network.
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Survivability and Concealment: BEFORE, road-mobile launchers were slightly easier for adversarial satellites to track in open terrain. NOW, rail-based launchers can blend into regular civilian train traffic and hide in tunnels, drastically complicating enemy surveillance.
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Strategic Deterrence: BEFORE, India relied primarily on submarines and road-mobile launchers for mobile nuclear deployment. NOW, the addition of rail-based mobility acts as a force multiplier, further solidifying the nation's credible minimum deterrence against pre-emptive strikes.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Agni-Prime missile and its rail-based launcher system? 1. The Agni-Prime is a two-stage, solid-propellant ballistic missile with a range of over 5,000 km, making it India's longest-range Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). 2. The canisterised rail-based launch system enhances the missile's survivability by allowing it to blend with civilian rail traffic and operate with reduced visibility.