India’s maiden test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile marks a decisive step towards self-reliance in air defence, reducing dependence on imported systems like Russia’s S-400 and Israel’s Barak, reported SCMP a Chinese based media portal.

The successful July 23 trial validated indigenous technologies and placed India among a select group of nations capable of fielding advanced long-range missile shields.

The Kusha system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in collaboration with domestic industry partners. It is designed to neutralise a wide spectrum of aerial threats including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and strategic bombers.

The maiden test from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha successfully intercepted a simulated high-speed, high-altitude target, demonstrating the system’s radar, guidance and command-and-control capabilities.

The project is a cornerstone of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-phase plan to establish a multi-layered national defence umbrella by 2035. This umbrella is intended to protect both strategic and civilian assets against ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft, drones, and precision-guided weapons.

Kusha will form the outer layer of this shield, complementing shorter-range systems such as Akash and medium-range interceptors already in service.

The system is expected to comprise three interceptor variants. The M1 missile will engage targets up to 150 km, the M2 up to 250 km, and the M3 up to 350–400 km. Reports suggest the missiles can reach speeds of Mach 5.5, with advanced seekers including dual active radio frequency and imaging infrared guidance to counter stealth aircraft and electronic jamming. The radar architecture is based on Gallium Nitride AESA technology, enhancing detection and tracking performance.

India has already inducted four squadrons of the Russian S-400 Triumf system under a US$5.43 billion deal signed in 2018, with a fifth expected later this year. However, deliveries have been delayed due to Russia’s military commitments in Ukraine.

Retired Air Marshal Ravi Gopal Krishna Kapoor noted that while the S-400 proved effective during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, reliance on imports leaves India vulnerable to supply-chain disruptions and cost escalations. He emphasised that Kusha, being indigenous, can be seamlessly integrated into India’s air defence architecture and upgraded domestically.

Kapoor also highlighted the growing complexity of aerial threats, including drones, cruise missiles, and fifth-generation fighters equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles. He argued that robust multi-layered defence is the best form of air denial, and Kusha could even play a limited offensive role by preventing adversaries from launching weapons, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor.

Srinivasan Balakrishnan of the Indic Researchers Forum stressed that indigenous control over production, maintenance, and software reduces vulnerabilities associated with foreign supply chains.

He pointed out that Kusha’s cost is estimated to be nearly half that of comparable imported systems, making it both strategically and economically advantageous. He added that without Kusha, Sudarshan Chakra would remain incomplete, but with it India gains the backbone for nationwide coverage.

The successful test has been hailed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as a landmark achievement, placing India in the elite club of nations with indigenous long-range air defence systems.

Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu also congratulated DRDO, noting that every indigenous success strengthens national security and aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Deployment of Kusha is slated between 2028 and 2030, with further trials expected to refine its capabilities. Once operational, it will provide India with a scalable, layered shield against modern aerial threats, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing resilience against future conflicts.

Agencies