India is advancing the development of a new conventional bunker-buster variant of its Agni-5 ballistic missile, spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a strategic move that has gained momentum since mid-2025. This missile, expected to carry a massive warhead of up to 8,000kg, is engineered to penetrate 80–100 meters underground, targeting deeply buried and heavily fortified enemy infrastructure such as command bunkers and missile silos. The upgraded Agni-5 will have a reduced range of around 2,500km, a trade-off to accommodate the larger payload and meet deep-strike requirements. Inspired by recent global events, especially following the United States’ use of bunker-busting munitions against Iranian sites in June, India’s system focuses on cost-effectiveness and survivability, relying on a missile platform rather than a strategic bomber fleet. The missile boasts hypersonic speeds, advanced navigation using the NavIC system, and is designed for rapid and flexible deployment, significantly enhancing India’s conventional deterrence and regional security capabilities