User training launch by Strategic Forces Command signals operationalization of China-specific Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile

Photo Credit : DRDO,

India on June 6 announced a successful “user training launch” of the Agni-4 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), declaring the induction and operationalization of the nuclear-capable weapon which has a reported strike range of 4,000 km. 

The growing capability and increasing strike range of India’s nuclear weapons, demonstrated through extensive testing, adds to the credibility of India’s nuclear deterrence posture and the maturity of its arsenal.

India’s arsenal of operational nuclear-tipped missiles which can be fired from land now include the 350-km Prithvi and the Agni variants with a strike range between 700 km and 4,000 km. 

The Agni-5, India’s only Inter-continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km, is reportedly in an advanced stage of operationalization. 

“A successful training launch of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-4, was carried out at approximately 1930 hours on June 06, 2022 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha,” the Ministry of Defence declared in a late night press statement. 

“The successful test was part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command. The launch validated all operational parameters as also the reliability of the system,” the statement added. 

“The successful test reaffirms India's policy of having a 'Credible Minimum Deterrence' Capability,” the Ministry of Defence stated. 

Last year, India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable strategic Agni Prime missile with the capability to hit targets between 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres. The increasing number of variants is meant to provide a flexible targeting strategy and multiple strike options.

The Agni-4 is meant to deter threats from ranges which correlate to China. An official statement about an Agni-4 launch has been made after four years.