PIB TrackerDRDO's 'Kusha' long-range air-defence missile aces its maiden test — India's answer to the S-400
The DRDO successfully conducted the first flight-test of 'Kusha', an indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile, off the Odisha coast — intercepting a simulated high-speed, high-altitude target — as India builds a home-grown, multi-layered air-defence shield to rival systems like Russia's S-400.
What happened
- DRDO conducted a successful maiden flight-test of the indigenous 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile.
- It was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island (Odisha) and intercepted a simulated high-speed, high-altitude threat.
- Kusha can neutralise fighter jets, missiles, UAVs and large aircraft across a wide range/altitude envelope.
- All elements — missiles, radars and command-and-control — were developed by DRDO labs and industry (Aatmanirbhar Bharat).
- Project Kusha is a multi-layered air-defence shield (~150/250/350 km interceptors), designed to rival the S-400.
For Prelims
- Kusha (LR-SAM): DRDO's indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system ('Project Kusha') — a multi-layered air-defence shield.
- Interceptor range: Variants of about 150, 250 and 350 km to engage threats at different distances/altitudes.
- Targets: Designed to counter fighter aircraft, cruise/ballistic missiles, UAVs and stealth threats.
- S-400 comparison: Kusha is intended as an indigenous alternative to imported long-range systems like Russia's S-400 Triumf.
- APJ Abdul Kalam Island: DRDO's missile-test range off the Odisha coast (formerly Wheeler Island).
- Air-defence layers: India's layered air defence combines systems of different ranges (e.g. Akash, MR-SAM, and Kusha for long range).
For UPSC: A defence-indigenisation item — a home-grown long-range air-defence missile and self-reliant layered air defence. Use it for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, DRDO and missile development, layered air defence (Akash/MR-SAM/Kusha), and reducing import dependence on systems like the S-400.
What it is NOT: This is a successful maiden (first) flight-test, not induction into service. Project Kusha is under development, with operational deployment planned over the coming years; further trials will follow.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS3.12 · GS3.20 · Linkage L2
Anchor
Self-reliant air defence — an indigenous long-range shield against modern aerial and missile threats.
Substantiation (data)
DRDO's maiden flight-test of the 'Kusha' LR-SAM (APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha) intercepted a high-speed/high-altitude target; multi-layered system (~150/250/350 km) developed by DRDO labs + industry; an S-400-class indigenous shield.
Exemplification
A layered mix (Akash, MR-SAM, Kusha) of indigenous air-defence systems reducing import dependence.
Problematisation
Completing trials and induction on schedule, integrating radars/C2, and scaling production with industry.
Way-forward
Complete development/trials, induct the system, and deepen the indigenous air-defence and missile-industrial base.
Position
An indigenous layered air-defence shield is central to self-reliant deterrence and reduced import dependence.
Deploys into: Security — indigenisation and new tech + security forces (GS3.12, GS3.20) · Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, DRDO missile development, layered air defence (Kusha/Akash/MR-SAM), and reduced import dependence.
Ministry of Defence · 2026-07-23 · PRID 2288526 · PIB source ↗