India Advances Development of Agni Missile Bunker-Buster Variant for Deep Penetrative Capabilities

India is ramping up its efforts to develop a formidable bunker-buster variant of the Agni missile system, aimed at targeting deeply entrenched enemy facilities, command structures, and fortified military sites. Spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this initiative is gaining traction amid increased global focus on the effectiveness of deep-penetration operations, highlighted by recent U.S. actions in Iran.

Unlike the U.S. GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is deployed via B-2 stealth bombers, India plans to implement a missile-based delivery approach. This method promises greater operational flexibility and reduced deployment costs. The system is set to utilize a modified version of the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), adapted to carry conventional payloads instead of nuclear warheads.

The forthcoming missile variant is designed to carry a substantial 7,500 kg warhead capable of penetrating 80 to 100 meters of reinforced concrete and soil prior to detonation. This feature is intended to neutralize heavily fortified targets such as enemy missile silos, underground bunkers, and fortified command centers.

Sources referenced by IANS indicate that two missile versions are under development. The first is designed for airburst detonations aimed at above-ground military targets like runways and airbases. The second version will incorporate a deep-penetration warhead to mimic the function of advanced bunker-buster bombs.

Despite its larger payload, the missile is anticipated to maintain an effective range of approximately 2,500 kilometers, adequate for addressing regional threats. It is also expected to achieve hypersonic speeds ranging from Mach 8 to Mach 20, enhancing its survivability and reducing its vulnerability to interception.

This strategic initiative underscores India's commitment to enhancing its conventional strike capabilities in response to evolving regional security threats. With DRDO focusing on technologies that offer credible deterrence against hardened military targets, the Agni bunker-buster missile is considered a crucial addition to India's growing missile arsenal.