Is India getting ready to test its longest Agni VI ballistic missile

It appears India might be preparing for a long-range missile test that could potentially be the Agni-VI missile, though official confirmation is still pending.

Here’s why this is being speculated:

NOTAM issued: India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) in the Indian Ocean, extending the danger zone for a likely long-range missile test to approximately 4,790 km for August 20-21, 2025.

Agni-VI under development: The Agni-VI is currently under development by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and is expected to be India’s most powerful missile in the Agni series, with a projected range significantly longer than Agni-V, potentially reaching 8,000-10,000 km or even higher with a lighter payload.

Advanced features: The Agni-VI is expected to be equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles) technology, capable of carrying multiple warheads to different targets.

Past development & delays: The design of Agni-VI was completed years ago, with hardware development underway, and a test was reportedly expected as early as 2017, but faced delays.

Geopolitical factors: The repeated revisions and expansion of the NOTAM suggest India might be preparing to validate a missile that surpasses its predecessors, potentially influencing geopolitical dynamics.

Geopolitical considerations, particularly relations with Western nations and the potential for a regional arms race, have also been cited as reasons for a cautious approach to officially admitting and testing the Agni-VI.

Important considerations:

Official confirmation is awaited: While the NOTAM and development status of Agni-VI strongly suggest a potential test, official confirmation is yet to be released.

Alternative possibilities: Some reports also suggest the possibility of testing an extended range BrahMos missile or even an upgraded Agni-V variant with enhanced range and features like MIRVs and bunker-buster warhead capabilities.

“Lofted trajectory” test possibility: Some experts suggest that the current test might involve a “lofted trajectory,” where the missile is launched at a steep angle to limit its horizontal travel while still validating propulsion and re-entry systems, which could be a way to test a longer-range missile (like Agni-VI) without causing international alarm.

In conclusion, while there’s no official declaration of an upcoming Agni-VI test, the latest developments and speculation indicate a strong possibility that India is moving closer to testing this advanced long-range missile.