BrooksPrather at 05:23, 25 November 2025

2025-11-25T05:23:51Z

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{{Short description|Indian short-range ballistic missile}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=''Agni-I''
|image=Agni-I missile test on 13 July 2012 (cropped).jpg
|image_size=300
|caption=Agni-I during a test flight on 13 July 2012
|origin= [[India]]
|type=Short Range Ballistic Missile<ref name=CSIS>{{cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-1/|title=Agni-1|website=CSIS Missile Threat|quote=The Agni-I is an Indian short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of 700 km}}</ref>
|used_by= [[Strategic Forces Command]]
|designer=[[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
|manufacturer=[[Bharat Dynamics Limited]]
|unit_cost={{INRConvert|25|c}} to {{INRConvert|35|c}}<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp | title = Technical tune to Agni test before talks | access-date = 2007-12-13 | publisher = The Telegraph | location=Calcutta, India | date=30 August 2004| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211004418/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040830/asp/nation/story_3694401.asp| archive-date= 11 December 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
|production_date=
|service=1979<ref name=hindu20040705>{{cite news|last1=Dikshit|first1=Sandeep|title=Army's missile group to maintain Agni A-1|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/05/stories/2004070502981000.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150204112450/http://www.thehindu.com/2004/07/05/stories/2004070502981000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2015|access-date=4 February 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 July 2004}}</ref>—present
|propellant= [[Solid fuel]]
|engine=[[Single stage rocket|Single stage]] [[Composite material|composite]] [[rocket motor]]<ref name="rediff.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/report/a-brand-new-agni-missile-pakistan-should-be-wary-of/20161219.htm|title=A brand new Agni missile Pakistan should be wary of|website=Rediff|language=en|access-date=2019-09-22}}</ref>
|weight=12,000 kg<ref name=express715859>{{cite news|title=India successfully test-fires Agni I ballistic missile|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-successfully-testfires-agni-i-ballist/715859/|access-date=19 October 2011|newspaper=Indian Express|date=Nov 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name=toi28376198 /><ref name=AsianTribune />
|number=70 <small>(2017 est.)</small><ref>[https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 Ballistic and cruise missile threat]</ref>|length=15 m<ref name=express715859 /><ref name=toi28376198 /><ref name=AsianTribune />
|diameter=1.0 m<ref name=toi28376198 /><ref name=AsianTribune />
|wingspan=
|variants=
|speed=2.5 km/s (9000 km/h)<ref name=toi28376198>{{cite news|title=India test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-I missile|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-test-fires-nuclear-capable-Agni-I-missile/articleshow/6986753.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104013732/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-25/india/28262189_1_wheeler-s-island-nuclear-capable-agni|url-status=live|archive-date=November 4, 2012|access-date=19 October 2011|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=Nov 25, 2010}}</ref>
|vehicle_range=700–1,200 km <ref name=express715859 /><ref name=toi28376198 />
|ceiling= 370 km<ref name=AsianTribune>{{cite news|title=India successfully test-fired Agni-I |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2004/07/05/india-successfully-test-fired-agni-i |access-date=20 October 2011 |newspaper=Asian Tribune |date=5 July 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531123718/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2004/07/05/india-successfully-test-fired-agni-i |archive-date=31 May 2012 }}</ref>
|altitude=
|filling= Conventional [[high explosive]]-unitary, penetration, [[cluster munition]], [[Incendiary device|incendiary]], [[thermobaric]], [[strategic nuclear weapon]]
|filling_weight={{convert|1000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} - {{convert|2500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/design_characteristics_of_india_ballistic_cruise_missiles.pdf?_=1415821730 Design characteristics of India ballistic cruise missiles]</ref>
|guidance= '''Mid-course:''' [[Ring laser gyroscope|RLG]]-[[Inertial navigation system|INS]] + multi-[[GNSS]] <br />'''Terminal:''' Radar scene matching
|detonation=
|accuracy=25 m [[Circular error probable|CEP]]<ref name=missilethreat>{{cite web|url=http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.8/missile_detail.asp |title=Agni-1 |publisher=MissileThreat |access-date=2012-12-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018152154/http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.8/missile_detail.asp |archive-date=2012-10-18 }}</ref>
|launch_platform=8 × 8 [[Tatra (company)|Tatra]] [[transporter erector launcher]]/rail mobile<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/missile/agni-1/|title=Agni-1|website=Missile Threat|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-22}}</ref>
}}

'''Agni-I''' ({{Lit|[[Agni|Fire]]}}) is a [[short-range ballistic missile]]<ref name=CSIS /> that was developed by [[DRDO]] of India in the [[Integrated Guided Missile Development Program]]. It is a single-stage missile that was developed after the [[Kargil War]] to fill the gap between the {{Convert|250|km|mile|adj=on|abbr=in}} range of the [[Prithvi (missile)#Prithvi II|Prithvi-II missile]] and the {{Convert|2500|km|miles|abbr=in|adj=on}} range of the [[Agni-II]]. It was first launched from a road mobile launcher at Integrated Test Range (ITR), [[Wheeler Island, India|Wheeler Island]], on 25 January 2002.<ref name=frontline20020202>{{cite news|last1=T. S. Subramanian|title=The significance of Agni-I|access-date=3 February 2015|work=Frontline|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1903/19031300.htm|date=2 February 2002}}</ref> Less than 75 launchers are deployed.<ref name=nasic-20170601>{{cite report |page=21 |url=https://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 |title=Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat |id=NASIC-1031-0985-17 |publisher=Defense Intelligence Ballistic Missile Analysis Committee |date=June 2017 |access-date=16 July 2017}}</ref>

==History and development==
Agni-I was first tested at the Interim Test Range in [[Chandipur, Orissa|Chandipur]] at 7:17AM on 22 May 1989,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dilip|first1=Bobb|last2=Menon|first2=Amarnath K.|date=15 June 1989|title=Agni: India successfully launches its first Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19890615-agni-india-successfully-launches-its-first-intermediate-range-ballistic-missile-816170-1989-06-15|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-29|website=India Today|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029071245/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19890615-agni-india-successfully-launches-its-first-intermediate-range-ballistic-missile-816170-1989-06-15 |archive-date=2021-10-29 }}</ref> and is capable of carrying a conventional payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) or a [[nuclear weapon|nuclear]] warhead. Agni missiles consist of one (short range) or two [[multistage rocket|stages]] (intermediate range). These are rail and road mobile and powered by solid [[rocket fuel|propellant]]s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Army |first1=Technology |title=Agni Ballistic Missile System |url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/agniballisticmissile/ |website=army-technology |publisher=Verdict Media Limited |access-date=22 September 2019}}</ref>

The Agni I has a range of 700–1,200 km.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/country/india/|title=Missiles of India|website=Missile Threat|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> They are claimed to be a part of the "[[Minimum credible deterrence]]".

Agni-I is a single stage, [[Solid-fuel rocket|solid fuel]], road and rail mobile, [[Short-range ballistic missile]] (SRBM). The need for the Agni-I was felt after the [[Kargil war]] with Pakistan. It took [[DRDO]] 15 months to develop the Agni-I after having completed [[Agni-II]] development.<ref name=THINDU>{{cite news|title=Agni-I a success|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article3634634.ece|access-date=28 July 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|location=Chennai, India|first=T.S.|last=Subramanian|date=13 July 2012}}</ref> It is propelled by solid fuel. Maneuvering RV body-lift aerodynamics give it the ability to correct trajectory errors and reduce thermal stresses. The MRV has a velocity correction package to correct launch trajectory variances. Some Agni RV versions use a set of solid fueled thruster cartridges of predetermined impulse, allowing the onboard guidance controller to trim velocity, using discrete combination of impulse quanta along the desired spatial orientation. The {{convert|15|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} Agni-I missile, weighing about 12 tonnes, is capable of carrying both conventional as well as nuclear warheads of 1,000 kg.<ref name=toi28376198 /><ref name=AsianTribune />

==Replacement==
{{Main|Agni-P}}
[[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]] is now developing an upgraded two stage variant called [[Agni-P|Agni-1P]] by borrowing the newer technologies from [[Agni-IV]] and [[Agni-V]] platform to increase accuracy and reliability.<ref name="rediff.com"/> On 28 June 2021, DRDO successfully test fired Agni-1P from [[Abdul Kalam Island|Abdul Kalam island]]. This is a two-stage solid fuel missile that can be stored in canister and transported through road and rail. It is a new class of missile in Agni Series launched by DRDO which is half the weight of [[Agni-III]] and carries newly developed guidance package and population system covering a distance of 1000–2000 km.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Shishir|date=2021-06-28|title=India successfully test-fires Agni P, a new missile in Agni series|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-successfully-test-fires-agni-p-a-new-missile-in-agni-series-101624863307818.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628074214/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-successfully-test-fires-agni-p-a-new-missile-in-agni-series-101624863307818.html |archive-date=2021-06-28 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rout|first=Hemant Kumar|date=2021-06-28|title=India test fires new generation nuclear capable Agni-Prime missile off Odisha coast|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jun/28/india-test-fires-new-generation-nuclear-capable-agni-prime-missile-off-odisha-coast-2322550.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-28|website=The New Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628071325/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jun/28/india-test-fires-new-generation-nuclear-capable-agni-prime-missile-off-odisha-coast-2322550.html |archive-date=2021-06-28 }}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[Image:Agni missile range.svg|thumb|right|250px|Agni missile range.]]
[[Indian Army]] regularly conducts user trials of the missile mainly to train the user team to launch the missile. The tests are normally conducted by the [[Strategic Forces Command]] (SFC) with logistic support from [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO).<ref name=hinduDec2011>{{cite news|title=Strategic Forces Command test fires Agni|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2677069.ece?homepage=true|access-date=1 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=December 1, 2011|location=Chennai, India|first=T S|last=Subramanian}}</ref><ref name="india_def">{{cite web|url=http://www.india-defence.com/reports-1820|title=Agni 1 Missile Test Fired, Part of Army User Trials-India Defence Dated:25 Nov 2010 |publisher=India-defence.com |access-date=2012-12-04}}</ref><ref name="Successful test-firing of Agni-I">{{cite news|title=Successful test-firing of Agni-I|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/760973/successful-test-firing-agni-i.html|access-date=13 July 2012|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=13 July 2012}}</ref> Such User trials were carried out multiple times since 2018, with the first one being on October 5, 2007, from [[Wheeler Island, India|Wheelers' Island]] and the latest one being on November 27, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agni-i-nuclear-capable-missile-test-fired-successfully-in-odisha-274621-2015-11-27|title = Agni-I nuclear-capable missile testfired successfully in Odisha | date=27 November 2015 }}</ref> Another successful user trial was conducted on March 14, 2016, from launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tech/india-successfully-test-fires-agni-i-ballistic-missile-3-3018004.html|title=India successfully test-fires Agni-I ballistic missile|website=IBNLive|access-date=2016-03-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/india-successfully-testfired-agnii-ballistic-missile-1457941471-1|title=India successfully test-fired Agni-I ballistic missile|website=Jagranjosh.com|access-date=2016-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314233047/http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/india-successfully-testfired-agnii-ballistic-missile-1457941471-1|archive-date=2016-03-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> Multiple successful user trials of the missile have been conducted on 22 November 2016 and 6 February 2018 by the SFC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/india-successfully-tests-nuclear-capable-agni-i-ballistic-missile-1314397.html|title=India Successfully Test-fires N-capable Agni-I Ballistic Missile|date=2016-11-22|newspaper=News18|access-date=2016-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nuclear-capable-agni-i-missile-test-fired-successfully/article22665930.ece|title=Agni-I missile with nuclear weapon carrying capability flight-tested successfully|last=Ians|date=2018-02-06|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-06|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 17 July 2025, Agni-I was again tested as part of a periodic routine trial by SFC. Though this is not the first instance that the SFC conducted trials of two nuclear-capable missiles — Agni-1 and [[Prithvi (missile)#Prithvi II|Prithvi-2]] — on the same day.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Successful test-firing of Prithvi-II & Agni-I Ballistic Missiles |date=2025-07-17 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2145662 |access-date=2025-07-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-18 |title=India tests nuclear-capable Agni-1 & Prithvi-2 ballistic missiles |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-tests-nuclear-capable-agni-1-prithvi-2-ballistic-missiles/articleshow/122720740.cms |access-date=2025-07-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Operators==
Agni-I is used by the 334 Missile Group at Secunderabad,<ref name=missilethreat /> under the [[Strategic Forces Command]] (SFC) of the [[Indian Army]],<ref name=express715859 /><ref name=toi28376198 /><ref name=hinduDec2011/>

==See also==
{{Portal|India|Rocketry|Nuclear technology}}
*[[BrahMos]]
*[[List of missiles]]
*[[Agni-P]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070410130240/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MISSILES/Agni.html Bharat-Rakshak Agni strategic missile Section]

{{Indian missiles}}
{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}}

[[Category:Ballistic missiles of India]]
[[Category:Intermediate-range ballistic missiles]]
[[Category:Nuclear missiles of India]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]

Agni-I - Revision history

BrooksPrather at 05:23, 25 November 2025