New Delhi: Nuclear weapons-capable Agni-3 ballistic missile was successfully test-fired by India on February 6, 2026) from the Chandipur off the Odisha coast, according to officials.
The surface-to-surface missile has a strike range of more than 3,000 kilometres.
Launched by the personnel of Strategic Forces Command (SFC) from a mobile launcher as part of a regular training exercise for the user, the missile was picked up randomly from the production lot and test-fired, officials said, adding that the SFC is tasked with handling strategic weapons systems.
The launch validated all operational and technical parameters, officials added.
The two-stage solid-propelled missile, after the command for auto-launch was given, took off on a designated flight path and homed onto the pre-designated target area in the Bay of Bengal with accuracy.
According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources, the missile met all the mission objectives.
As per the sources, various parameters and trajectory of the 17-metre long missile were tracked and monitored in real time by radars along the east coast, as well as by the telemetry and electro-optical systems. Two down-range ships near the impact point recorded the terminal event.
Agni-3 is capable of carrying a payload weighing 1.5 tons to a distance of more than 3,000 kilometres. It has already been inducted into the armed forces and is one of the sophisticated and accurate missiles of its class.
