India test-fires Agni, Prithvi missiles and Akash Prime

India has achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime, which is the upgraded variant of Akash Weapon System for the Indian Army. The weapon system is customised to operate in altitude above 4,500 metres and has latest upgrades including indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker. Based on the operational feedbacks from users, various upgrades are made to improve the operational effectiveness, demonstrating the advantage of the ecosystem created for the indigenous weapon system. Army Air Defence and DRDO, in conjunction with Defence PSUs such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, and other Industry Partners have successfully validated the indigenously designed and developed Akash Prime Weapon System. 

Akash Prime the upgraded variant of Akash Weapon System successfully engaged and destroyed two Aerial High Speed Unmanned targets during trials at high altitude in Ladakh Sector. The weapon system is customised to operate in altitude above 4500 meters and has latest upgrades… pic.twitter.com/OL1qYLZF1S

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) July 17, 2025

This achievement carries added significance as it follows the exceptional performance of India’s indigenously developed air defence systems during Operation Sindoor. It marks a major step forward for the nation’s missile development programmes, which are now gaining increasing attention in the global defence market. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the Indian Army, DRDO, and industry on achieving the milestone. He described the success as a significant boost to India’s Air Defence capabilities, particularly for meeting high-altitude operational requirements.
On Thursday, India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable short range ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I from an integrated test range off the Odisha coast, demonstrating its strategic deterrence capability. The test-firing of the missiles, conducted by the elite Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters, according to the defence ministry. 
The Agni-I missile has a range of 700-“900 kms and it can carry a payload of 1,000 kgs. Both Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles have been an integral part of India's nuclear deterrence. "Short-range ballistic missiles -- Prithvi-II and Agni-I -- were successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha on July 17," the ministry said in a brief statement.