India Successfully Tests Indigenous Kusha Long-Range Air Defense Missile
On July 23, 2026, India's DRDO conducted the maiden test of the Kusha M1 long-range surface-to-air missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, intercepting a simulated high-speed aerial target. The indigenous system, with variants ranging 150-400 km, aims to reduce reliance on Russia's S-400 and bolster multi-layered air defense under Mission Sudarshan Chakra. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the milestone, though operational deployment is expected in 3-4 years, with full induction by 2030.
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India successfully tests long-range Kusha interceptor missile, advancing homegrown air defense
India has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air interceptor missile, marking a key milestone in developing a domestic air defense system to rival Russia's S-400 Triumf. The test, conducted from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha, intercepted a simulated high-speed, high-altitude aerial target. The Kusha program includes three variants with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350-400 km, aiming to bridge the gap between the S-400 (400 km range) and shorter-range Barak-8 systems (70 km). Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated the system will eliminate import dependency for such systems. However, India remains reliant on foreign systems for now, having recently approved acquisition of five additional S-400 systems. The indigenous system requires further validation and is expected to be operationally ready in three to four years. The test underscores India's push for military self-reliance amid growing aerial threats from drones, cruise missiles, and combat aircraft.
India successfully tests long-range interceptor missile, advancing indigenous air defense system
India successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air interceptor missile from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island, marking a key milestone in developing a domestic air defense system to rival Russia's S-400 Triumf. The test intercepted a simulated high-speed, high-altitude aerial target. The Kusha program includes three variants with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350-400 km, aiming to bridge the gap between the S-400 (400 km range) and Barak-8 (70 km range) systems. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated the system will reduce import dependency. However, India remains reliant on foreign systems for now, having recently approved acquisition of five additional S-400 systems. The indigenous system is expected to be operationally ready in three to four years. Analysts note the need for expanded long-range coverage along borders with Pakistan and China.
India successfully tests long-range interceptor missile, advancing homegrown air defense system
India has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of a long-range surface-to-air interceptor missile, named Kusha, marking a key milestone in developing a domestic air defense system to rival Russia's S-400 Triumf. The test, conducted from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, intercepted a simulated high-speed, high-altitude aerial target. The project includes three variants with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350-400 km, aiming to fill the gap between the S-400 (400 km range) and the Barak-8 (70 km range). Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated the system will eliminate import dependency for such systems. However, India remains reliant on foreign systems for now, having recently approved the acquisition of five additional S-400 systems. The indigenous system is expected to be ready for operational deployment in three to four years after further validation trials.
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India Successfully Tests Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
On July 23, 2026, India's DRDO conducted the maiden test of the M1 long-range surface-to-air missile under Project Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island. The test successfully intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat. The Kusha system is designed to neutralize fighter jets, missiles, UAVs, and large aircraft. Project Kusha includes three interceptors: M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km), and M3 (350-400 km). The system will integrate with the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and complement the Russian S-400 Triumf systems currently in service. India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called the test an important milestone. The development is expected to be completed in the next few years, with induction targeted by 2030. The article notes that Kusha will reduce import dependence on the S-400 but will initially work in tandem with it, building redundancy in India's multi-layered air defense architecture under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, scheduled for completion by 2035.
India Successfully Tests Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
On July 23, 2026, India's DRDO conducted the maiden test of the M1 long-range surface-to-air missile under Project Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island. The missile successfully intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat. The Kusha system is part of India's multi-layered air defense architecture under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, scheduled for completion by 2035. Three interceptor variants are being developed: M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km), and M3 (350-400 km). The system will integrate with the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). Currently, India relies on Russian S-400 systems, with deliveries delayed. After the 2025 Operation Sindoor conflict with Pakistan, India approved procurement of five additional S-400 regiments. Project Kusha aims to reduce import dependence and complement the S-400 in the near-to-medium term, while also addressing threats from ballistic and hypersonic missiles from Pakistan and China.
India Successfully Tests Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
On July 23, 2026, India's DRDO conducted the maiden test of the M1 long-range surface-to-air missile under Project Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island. The test successfully intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat. The Kusha system is part of India's multi-layered air defense architecture under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, scheduled for completion by 2035. Three interceptors are being developed: M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km), and M3 (350-400 km). The system will integrate with the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and complement the Russian S-400 Triumf systems currently in service. India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called the test an important milestone. The development aims to reduce import dependence on the S-400, though near-term deployment will work in tandem with existing systems. The article also notes India's ongoing anti-ballistic missile shield development and the strategic need to counter threats from Pakistan and China.