India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing two advanced versions of the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) designed to penetrate and destroy heavily fortified underground targets. Known as “bunker-buster” missiles, these variants mark a significant step in strengthening India’s conventional warfare capabilities, particularly in response to regional security challenges. Here’s a clear and concise explanation of this development and what it means for India.
What Is the New Agni-5 Variant?
The Agni-5, a nuclear-capable missile with a range of over 5,000 km, is being modified to carry conventional (non-nuclear) warheads. Unlike the original, which targets distant strategic locations, the new variants will focus on precision strikes with a reduced range of 2,000–2,500 km. These missiles are designed to carry a massive 7,500 kg warhead, one of the heaviest in the world, capable of penetrating up to 80–100 meters of reinforced concrete or earth before detonating.
The DRDO is working on two types of warheads:
- Bunker-Buster Warhead: This variant targets deeply buried facilities like command centers, missile silos, and weapon storage bunkers, destroying them with a powerful underground explosion.
- Airburst Warhead: This version explodes above ground, creating a shockwave to damage surface targets like airfields, radar stations, or military bases over a wide area.
Why Is India Developing This Missile?
The development comes in the wake of global advancements in precision warfare, particularly inspired by the US’s use of bunker-buster bombs, like the GBU-57, against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities in June 2025. India faces unique security challenges along its borders with Pakistan and China, both of whom have fortified underground installations, including command posts and missile silos, especially in mountainous regions like the Himalayas.
Key reasons for this project include:
- Countering Regional Threats: The new Agni-5 variants will enhance India’s ability to neutralize critical enemy infrastructure, such as Pakistan’s Kirana Hills facilities or China’s underground bases, in a potential conflict.
- Cost-Effective Strategy: Unlike the US, which relies on expensive stealth bombers to deliver bunker-busters, India’s missile-based approach is more cost-efficient and flexible, using road-mobile launchers for rapid deployment.
- Strengthening Deterrence: The mere possession of such powerful conventional missiles could deter adversaries from relying on underground fortifications, shifting the strategic balance in India’s favor.
How Does It Work?
Bunker-buster missiles are engineered for deep penetration. The Agni-5 variant’s warhead, weighing up to 8 tonnes, uses a hardened casing and advanced guidance systems to burrow through layers of concrete or earth. A delayed fuse ensures the warhead detonates only after reaching the target depth, maximizing destruction. The airburst variant, meanwhile, releases high-velocity fragments to devastate surface targets. Both versions are expected to travel at hypersonic speeds (Mach 8–20), making them nearly impossible to intercept.
The missile retains the Agni-5’s advanced features, including:
- Canisterized Launch: Stored in a sealed canister, the missile is protected from environmental damage and can be launched in minutes from road-mobile platforms.
- Precision Guidance: Advanced navigation ensures a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 5 meters, critical for targeting fortified structures.
Strategic Importance for India
- Regional Security: The new variants will give India a decisive edge in countering underground facilities, particularly in high-altitude regions where traditional weapons are less effective.
- Global Standing: By developing a bunker-buster missile rivaling the US’s GBU-57, India joins an elite group of nations with advanced conventional strike capabilities, showcasing its technological prowess.
- Indigenous Innovation: The project underscores India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with DRDO leading the design and development without foreign assistance.
What’s Next?
The DRDO is fast-tracking the project, spurred by recent global conflicts and India’s own Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror hideouts in Pakistan in 2025. While the original Agni-5 is a cornerstone of India’s nuclear deterrence, these conventional variants expand its role in modern warfare. Testing and deployment timelines remain undisclosed, but the missiles are expected to be operational within a few years, bolstering India’s strategic arsenal.
What Does This Mean for Indians?
For the average Indian, this development is a matter of national pride, showcasing India’s growing defence capabilities. It strengthens the country’s security against regional threats, ensuring better protection of borders and critical assets. However, it also highlights the need for responsible use of such powerful weapons to maintain regional stability.
Stay informed through official DRDO and Ministry of Defence updates for the latest on this groundbreaking project.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 10:55 pm by Sri Hari Priya Rayaprolu | Published by: Sri Hari Priya Rayaprolu on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 10:55 pm | News Categories: News, India, Latest, Technology
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