News Desk: India is fast-tracking the development of an indigenous bunker-buster missile, modeled on the lines of the United States’ Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), to enhance its capability to neutralize deeply buried enemy infrastructure. The project has gained momentum following the recent U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility using MOPs, which demonstrated the strategic advantage of such weaponry.
According to credible defence sources and reports in national security publications, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently working on a conventional variant of the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile, with plans to equip it with a heavy warhead capable of penetrating up to 100 meters of reinforced concrete or earth.
Aims and Objectives
The project aims to bridge a critical gap in India’s conventional strike capability, particularly against hardened underground military targets such as nuclear command bunkers, missile silos, and fortified storage facilities in hostile territories. The move also seeks to establish India’s self-reliance in high-precision, non-nuclear strategic strike options.
Missile Specifications (Proposed)
-
Platform: Modified Agni-V missile (originally nuclear-capable)
-
Warhead: 7.5 to 8 tonnes conventional payload
-
Penetration Power: Capable of breaching 80–100 meters of earth or concrete
-
Speed: Hypersonic (Mach 8 to 20)
-
Range: Likely shortened to 2,000–2,500 km for conventional deployment
-
Accuracy: Within 10 meters, aided by GPS, NavIC, and inertial navigation systems
The missile is expected to come in two variants: one for deep-penetration (“bunker-buster”) and another as an air-burst munition designed to saturate surface targets.
Strategic Implications
India currently lacks heavy strategic bombers like the U.S. B-2 or B-52 to deliver such ordnance. The adaptation of the Agni-V platform for a conventional bunker-busting role offers a more autonomous and economical solution. It is also seen as a response to increasing threats from fortified underground installations in adversarial nations.
The new missile would significantly strengthen India’s second-strike and pre-emptive capabilities, particularly in scenarios where nuclear escalation is undesirable but strategic strikes are necessary.
Development Status
As of June 2025, DRDO is in the design and prototyping phase. Sources indicate that field testing could begin in the coming months, with full operational readiness expected within a few years if trials are successful.
Challenges Ahead
While the missile promises a major leap in conventional deterrence, technical challenges remain. These include the need for advanced warhead metallurgy to survive hypersonic impact, ensuring guidance precision under extreme conditions, and integration with existing delivery platforms.
Moreover, strategic experts warn that deploying such high-impact conventional missiles may invite international scrutiny and raise tensions in the region, especially with China and Pakistan.
Conclusion
India’s push to develop its own bunker-buster missile marks a significant step in upgrading its conventional strategic arsenal. With regional security dynamics evolving rapidly, this move not only signals a shift in India’s defence posture but also underscores its intent to attain deeper military-technological self-reliance.
