02-05-2025
From Agni to BrahMos: 5 Indian Missiles Whose Range Covers Pakistan
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At the heart of this capability are the Agni-series ballistic missiles and the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile, systems that underscore India's evolving deterrence posture.
Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, regional tensions have escalated, prompting quiet but significant recalibrations within Pakistan's security establishment. According to sources, concerns are being raised in Islamabad over India's expanding missile arsenal – an array of advanced systems that provide New Delhi with both comprehensive defensive reach and strategic depth.
At the heart of this capability are the Agni-series ballistic missiles and the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile, systems that underscore India's evolving deterrence posture. Several of these missiles are nuclear-capable and deployed on mobile launchers, lending them a level of flexibility and unpredictability that complicates traditional military planning.
While there has been no formal indication of an imminent confrontation, officials and analysts note that Pakistan's defence forces are operating with heightened vigilance.
Leading this elite missile lineup is the Agni-V, India's first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). With a range between 5,000 and 5,500 kilometres, Agni-V is capable of delivering a nuclear payload across not only the entirety of Pakistan, but also into key regions of China and even the fringes of Europe. Its road-mobile launcher makes it highly versatile and difficult to detect in advance. The missile is considered a game-changer in India's strategic deterrence doctrine, bolstering second-strike capabilities and complicating adversarial calculations.
Agni-III: The Versatile Heavy-Hitter
With a strike range of 3,000 to 3,500 kilometres and a payload capacity of 1.5 tonnes, the Agni-III is a powerful weapon designed for flexible deployment. Launchable from both road and rail platforms, the missile integrates inertial and satellite navigation systems, ensuring high accuracy and minimal launch preparation time. Its reach comfortably spans major strategic sites in both Pakistan and China.
Agni-II: Tactical Readiness, Strategic Impact
The Agni-II, classified as a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM), was developed with an operational range of up to 2,500 kilometres. Though earlier in the Agni series, it remains an integral part of India's missile forces. Its relatively lighter payload of around 1,000 kgs and the capability to carry nuclear or conventional warheads make it a versatile option for tactical deterrence.
BrahMos: Speed as a Strategic Weapon
While its initial range was limited between 400-800 kilometres, the new variants of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile have extended that figure to approximately 1,500 kilometres. What it lacks in range compared to the Agni series, it compensates for with unprecedented speed (Mach 2.8 to 3) and pinpoint precision. Co-developed with Russia, the BrahMos is deployable from land, sea, and air platforms, granting India unmatched flexibility in rapid-strike scenarios.
As these missile systems are paraded in military drills and tested under stringent conditions, their psychological impact on India's neighbours is unmistakable.
First Published:
May 02, 2025, 11:19 IST
