By My Startup News Team
August 21, 2025, NEW DELHI – India has successfully conducted a test of its most advanced nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile, marking a significant milestone in the country’s strategic defense capabilities. The missile, with a strike range exceeding 5,000 km, was launched from the integrated test range at Chandipur in Odisha under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). This routine training trial validates the operational readiness of the canister-launched, solid-fueled missile, which can reach even the northernmost parts of China.
The test follows the successful demonstration of Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology in the Agni-5 under ‘Mission Divyastra’ in March 2024. While full operationalization of the MIRV variant will require additional trials over the coming years, the Agni-5 strengthens India’s nuclear triad—comprising land-based missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and air-delivered weapons. With the commissioning of INS Aridhaman, the third SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine), expected this year, India’s underwater nuclear deterrent is also advancing rapidly.
Surging Ahead: Recent Advances in India’s Space Program
This missile test comes amid a period of remarkable progress in India’s space endeavors, driven by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and increasing private sector involvement. In recent months, ISRO achieved a major feat with the successful docking of two SPADEX satellites (SDX-01 and SDX-02) on January 16, 2025, demonstrating critical orbital docking technologies essential for future missions. On July 30, 2025, India launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, a $1.3 billion joint mission to monitor Earth’s changing surfaces, including ecosystems, natural hazards, and climate impacts.
ISRO is also pushing boundaries with ambitious plans, including a 40-storey-tall rocket capable of placing a 75-tonne payload into orbit, accelerating India’s space ambitions. The space budget has nearly tripled over the past decade, reaching 13,416 crores in 2025-26, reflecting strong governmental commitment. Upcoming missions target the Moon, Mars, and Venus, building on successes like Chandrayaan-3’s lunar south pole landing. These advancements not only enhance scientific exploration but also support national security through satellite-based intelligence and navigation.
Missiles: The Cornerstone of India’s Strategic Security
Missiles like the Agni-5 have become pivotal in defining India’s strategic security posture, providing credible nuclear deterrence against regional threats. The Agni series, ranging from the short-range Agni-1 (700 km) to the near-ICBM Agni-5, forms the backbone of India’s land-based arsenal, primarily oriented toward Pakistan and China. The canister-launch system offers operational flexibility, allowing rapid deployment and launch from road or rail, while hermetically sealed storage ensures long-term readiness.
This capability is crucial in a volatile geopolitical landscape, where China continues to expand its nuclear arsenal—projected to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035, according to the Stockholm International Peace Institute (SIPRI). India’s 180 warheads, as per SIPRI’s latest assessment, underscore the need for robust, indigenous missile systems. Parallel developments, such as the Agni-Prime (1,000-2,000 km range) undergoing night trials, aim to replace older missiles, enhancing precision and mobility. Together with the operational SSBNs INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, these assets solidify India’s second-strike capability, deterring aggression and maintaining strategic balance in South Asia.
Emerging Role of Defense and Space Startups in India’s Tech Innovation
While state agencies like DRDO and ISRO lead these efforts, India’s defense and space startups—though in nascent stages—are poised to drive future innovations, fostering self-reliance under initiatives like Make in India and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). Over 2,000 defense startups and 300 space ventures are actively contributing to deep-tech areas such as AI, quantum computing, drones, and satellite technology.
Pioneers like Skyroot Aerospace are developing reusable rockets, while Agnikul Cosmos innovates with 3D-printed engines for small satellite launches. Pixxel specializes in hyperspectral imaging satellites for earth observation, and Dhruva Space focuses on satellite platforms and ground stations. In defense, startups like GalaxEye advance space tech for multi-sensor imaging, QNu Labs pioneers quantum security, and others like IdeaForge and Tonbo Imaging excel in drones and imaging systems.
Government support is accelerating this growth: A proposed ₹1 trillion fund offers low-interest loans for deeptech startups in space and defense. Events like Aero India 2025 highlighted innovations such as vehicle-mounted counter-drone systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, with over 1,000 defense startups emerging in the past five years. Strategic Indo-US partnerships are opening global markets, enabling Indian startups to collaborate on advanced technologies.
These startups are not only reducing import dependency but also positioning India as a global exporter of defense and space tech. By 2047, the sectors are expected to contribute significantly to the economy, with projections in the trillions, driven by agile innovation from young entrepreneurs.
As India continues to test and deploy advanced systems like the Agni-5, the synergy between government programs and startup ingenuity promises a future of cutting-edge space and defense technologies, enhancing national security and economic growth.
