India is preparing to develop the Agni-VI intercontinental ballistic missile and hypersonic glide weapons pending final government approval [1].

These advancements would significantly extend India's long-range strike capabilities and redefine its strategic power projection. The move signals a shift toward more sophisticated delivery systems designed to penetrate advanced defense networks.

DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat said the Agni-VI missile program awaits government approval [2]. The missile is intended to feature Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) capability, allowing a single missile to carry multiple warheads to different targets [1].

Parallel to the Agni-VI, India is advancing its hypersonic technology. Kamat said India's hypersonic glide missile is in an advanced stage, with trials expected soon [2]. These specific glide weapons are designed to reach speeds of Mach 10 [1].

Unlike traditional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable arc, hypersonic glide vehicles can maneuver during flight. This capability makes them significantly harder to detect and intercept by current missile defense systems [1].

Major Gaurav Arya said these developments are part of India's future war arsenal, emphasizing the need for a deterrent that can reach distant targets with high precision [1]. The integration of both MIRV and hypersonic capabilities would place India in a small group of nations possessing such advanced strategic weaponry.

“The Agni-VI missile program awaits government approval.”

The pursuit of Agni-VI and Mach 10 hypersonic glide vehicles represents a transition from a regional deterrent to a global strategic posture. By combining MIRV technology with hypersonic speeds, India aims to ensure its second-strike capability remains viable against increasingly sophisticated anti-ballistic missile systems deployed by regional adversaries.