In a boost to India’s “atmanirbhar” defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the successful flight-testing of an Advanced Agni missile with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle) system, which was conducted on May 8, 2026, from Odisha’s Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
The Advanced Agni missile was equipped with multiple payloads that was tested to carry-out attacks on different targets “spatially distributed over a large geographical area in the Indian Ocean Region”, as informed by the DRDO on social media platform X. The test was tracked by on-ground and ship-based stations, which tracked “the entire missile trajectory from lift-off till the impact of all payloads,” as reported by the Press Information Bureau.
The flight trial was successful since it achieved all its mission objectives. Senior scientists of DRDO and the Indian Army were present during the flight-trial.
Response by the Defence Minister
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated the DRDO, the Indian Army and Industry. On the successful testing of the missile system, Singh said, “This will add an incredible capability to the country’s defence preparedness against the growing threat perceptions.”
Towards self-reliance in sophisticated defence technology
The DRDO, with the Indian industries’ support, developed the Advanced Agni missile with MIRV system. This missile system can hit several “strategic targets” by employing only a single missile. This indicates that India is moving swiftly towards indigenisation of advanced missile technology, reducing dependence on foreign partner countries such as France and USA. This enhances India’s deterrence posture in a hostile neighbourhood, where it increasingly faces cross-border security challenges and threats.
In a continuation of self-reliance in the defence sector, India also successfully tested the indigenous Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system, conducted jointly by DRDO and the Indian Air Force on May 7, 2026. TARA weapon system is India’s first modular glide weapon kit that transforms conventional bombs into “smart” precision-guided bombs, increasing strike rates.
In addition, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat had revealed that India is working on hypersonic glide and cruise missiles as well, with the trials of Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) hypersonic glide missile to begin first.
“Readiness” for the Agni VI ICBM
DRDO Chairman Kamat had also stated, days ago, that the DRDO is fully prepared to develop the Agni VI Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) programme after the government gives its approval. Today’s successful testing and the development of Agni VI missile will significantly bolster India’s defence position globally, making it a part of the select countries capable of long-range strategic missile capability, while simultaneously reducing foreign dependence, marking a push towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
