India conducted an unprecedented night test launch of the Agni-Prime medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) from a rail-based mobile launcher on September 24, according to an Indian Ministry of Defense press release. This placed India among a few countries (like North Korea and China) with deployed systems that can launch a missile from a railway wagon. The rail-based mobile launcher can move along the rail network without any unique preparation. “It provides for cross country mobility and has the capability to launch within a short reaction time with reduced visibility,” according to the press release. “It is self-sustained and is equipped with all independent launch capability features including the state-of-the-art communication systems and protection mechanisms.
However, the recent test also raises a few questions that need to be addressed: Will rail-based mobile launchers be on the run 24/7 on the Indian railway track or stored at specific hardened locations with a direct accessible link to the Indian railway system? Why did India test this system? And how will it impact Pakistan?
Agni-Prime, commonly known as Agni-P, has an operational range of up to 2,000 km.
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