India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-5 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, on August 20, 2025. The missile, launched under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters during the test. The Agni-5 has a range of approximately 5,000 kilometers and can reach speeds up to Mach 24 (around 28,600 km/h), making it a core component of India's nuclear deterrence strategy. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads to any part of China, underscoring its strategic significance. This test comes shortly before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to China. In addition to the missile test, India has recently advanced its defense capabilities with the successful trial of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off Odisha's coast, which demonstrated the ability to intercept multiple targets at varying altitudes and ranges. The country is also enhancing its naval power with acquisitions such as Rafale-M jets equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems and is investing in indigenous defense technologies, including the development of a 120kN jet engine. India's defense sector aims for substantial growth, targeting ₹12 lakh crore in defense exports by 2047, reflecting a broader strategic and technological modernization effort.