‘Kusha’ -Long-Range Air Defence Missile
Why in News?
The DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha LR-SAM on July 23, 2026, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
Key Information
- Three-Tier Architecture: The system uses a modular, scalable design featuring three distinct interceptor missiles built on a common core:
- M1 Interceptor: Covers a range of 150 km.
- M2 Interceptor: Extends the range to 250 km.
- M3 Interceptor: Reaches long-range boundaries between 350 km and 400 km.
- Diverse Target Clearance: Engineered to detect, track, and destroy a massive array of aerial threats. This includes stealth fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, armed swarm drones, large surveillance aircraft, and precision-guided weapons.
- Unified Infrastructure: Unlike the Russian S-400 which requires separate designs for different roles, Project Kusha follows a unified architecture. This makes software updates, deployment, and structural maintenance significantly cheaper and easier.
- The Backbone of Mission Sudarshan Chakra: Project Kusha will serve as the premier weapon network inside India's upcoming Sudarshan Chakra national air defence shield, aimed at securing all strategic facilities by 2035.
- Massive Manufacturing Plan: Industrial partners like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited are rapidly ramping up facilities. They intend to mass-produce 300 to 400 missiles per year by 2032, serving at least eight Indian Air Force squadrons under a ₹40,000 crore project blueprint.
- Elite Global Tier: With this breakthrough, India enters an exclusive global group of only a handful of nations possessing sovereign, homegrown long-range interception technology.
- Often referred to as India’s "Desi S-400," it is designed to completely eliminate India's reliance on foreign long-range air defence imports.
