India Successfully Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Agni-3 Missile

India on February 6, 2026, successfully conducted a test-firing of the nuclear weapons-capable Agni-3 ballistic missile from Chandipur off the Odisha coast, reaffirming the credibility of its strategic deterrence capabilities.

The surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of over 3,000 kilometres, was launched by personnel of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) from a mobile launcher as part of a routine training exercise. The missile selected for the test was randomly picked from the production lot, underscoring the operational readiness and reliability of the system.

Following the issuance of the auto-launch command, the two-stage, solid-propelled missile lifted off smoothly, followed the pre-designated flight trajectory, and accurately hit the intended target area in the Bay of Bengal, according to official sources.

The Agni-3 missile, already inducted into the armed forces, is regarded as one of the most sophisticated and precise missiles in its class. It is capable of delivering a payload of up to 1.5 tonnes to distances exceeding 3,000 kilometres.