India's indigenous long-range air defence ambitions reached a major milestone as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of Project Kusha from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. Often referred to as India's "Desi S-400", Project Kusha is designed to provide long-range protection against a wide range of aerial threats and will eventually become a key component of the country's layered air defence network.
The successful trial marks the transition of the programme from design and development to an extensive testing phase before induction into the Indian Armed Forces.
What is Project Kusha?
Project Kusha is DRDO's indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) programme being developed for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. Designed as a network-centric air defence system, it will be capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging multiple airborne threats simultaneously across varying ranges and altitudes.
The system is intended to bridge the capability gap between India's Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system and the country's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme. Once operational, it will be integrated with the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enabling real-time target tracking, sensor fusion, and coordinated engagements.
Three Interceptors for Layered Defence
Project Kusha employs three interceptor missiles, each optimized for different engagement ranges and target sets.
M1 Interceptor – Around 120 km
The M1 interceptor is powered by a two-pulse solid rocket motor and is designed to intercept fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at ranges of approximately 120 kilometres.
M2 Interceptor – Around 250 km
The M2 incorporates an additional booster stage, extending its engagement range to nearly 250 kilometres. It is intended to neutralize high-value airborne assets such as AEW&C aircraft, aerial refuelling tankers, and electronic warfare platforms, disrupting an adversary's ability to coordinate air operations.
M3 Interceptor – 350–400 km
The M3 is the longest-range interceptor in the family, capable of engaging targets at 350–400 kilometres. It is designed to intercept hostile aircraft and strategic support platforms well before they approach defended airspace, significantly expanding India's defensive reach.
Why Project Kusha Matters
Air warfare is increasingly shaped by stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, swarm drones, stand-off weapons, and long-range precision strikes. Countering these threats requires an integrated, layered air defence network capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously.
Project Kusha is designed to meet this requirement by providing long-range area defence while reducing India's dependence on imported strategic weapon systems. The programme also aligns with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by strengthening indigenous missile development and domestic defence manufacturing.
Once inducted, Project Kusha will operate alongside systems such as Akash, MR-SAM, S-400 Triumf, and India's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme, creating multiple layers of protection against modern aerial threats.
The Road Ahead
The maiden flight test marks the beginning of a comprehensive developmental testing campaign. Over the coming years, Project Kusha will undergo additional flight trials, system validation, and user evaluations before entering operational service with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
As India prepares for an era of fifth-generation fighters, advanced drones, and increasingly sophisticated long-range weapons, Project Kusha is expected to become one of the cornerstones of the country's future air defence architecture.
While comparisons with the Russian S-400 are inevitable due to its long-range engagement capability, Project Kusha is being developed to meet India's own operational requirements and will serve as a critical indigenous force multiplier for decades to come.