India is intensifying efforts to develop a powerful bunker-buster version of its Agni missile system, capable of striking deeply buried enemy facilities, command centres, and fortified military infrastructure. The project, led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is receiving renewed momentum amid global attention on the effectiveness of deep-penetration strikes like the recent U.S. operations in Iran.
Unlike the U.S. GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is air-dropped by B-2 stealth bombers, India’s approach will involve a missile-based delivery system, offering enhanced operational flexibility and lower deployment costs. The new system is expected to use a modified version of the Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), reconfigured for conventional payloads instead of nuclear warheads.
The upcoming missile variant will be capable of delivering a massive 7,500 kg warhead designed to penetrate 80 to 100 metres of reinforced concrete and soil before detonation. This capability is targeted at disabling heavily fortified assets such as enemy missile silos, underground bunkers, and hardened command posts.
According to sources cited by IANS, two versions of the missile are under development. The first will be designed for airburst detonations to strike above-ground military installations like runways and airbases. The second version will feature a deep-penetration warhead to emulate the role of advanced bunker-buster bombs.
Despite the larger payload, the missile is expected to maintain an effective range of around 2,500 kilometres, sufficient for addressing regional threats. It will also reach hypersonic speeds between Mach 8 and Mach 20, significantly increasing its survivability and reducing the chances of interception.
This strategic initiative reflects India’s focus on upgrading its conventional strike capabilities to respond to emerging regional security challenges. With DRDO prioritising technologies that can provide credible deterrence against hardened military targets, the Agni bunker-buster missile is being seen as a vital addition to India’s evolving missile arsenal.
