Project Kusha is being developed as an indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system to strengthen India’s layered air-defence network and reduce dependence on foreign systems. Project Kusha is one of India’s major indigenous air-defence programmes. The system brings together long-range missiles, radars and command-and-control technology, developed by DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.The system is planned as a multi-layered defence network, with different interceptor variants designed for different engagement ranges. Reported planned ranges for the three variants are around 150 km, 250 km and up to 400 km.
The emerging air-defence architecture is expected to combine different layers of protection rather than rely on a single missile system. Short-, medium- and long-range interceptors, surveillance radars, command-and-control networks and emerging technologies such as directed-energy weapons can work together to respond to different types of threats.DRDO’s existing systems already include the Akash surface-to-air missile system, while MRSAM provides mobile, 360-degree medium-range air-defence capability.
Modern warfare is increasingly shaped by drones, cruise missiles, precision-guided weapons and high-speed missile threats. India’s next-generation defence efforts are therefore focused on improving early detection, faster decision-making and the ability to engage multiple threats.The Integrated Air Defence Weapon System demonstrated by DRDO has combined QRSAM, VSHORADS and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon into a multi-layered concept. India is also developing Project Kusha, an indigenous long-range air-defence programme intended to strengthen the country’s ability to counter aircraft and missile threats at extended ranges. A successful maiden flight test in July 2026 was described as an important milestone in building a home-grown long-range air-defence capability.
The broader objective is to reduce dependence on imported defence systems while increasing the role of Indian research, manufacturing and private-sector industries. Recent defence procurement decisions have also placed strong emphasis on indigenous production and domestic defence capabilities.
India’s air-defence strategy is entering a new phase, with indigenous missiles, advanced radars, laser weapons and networked command systems increasingly becoming part of the country’s defence roadmap. As Project Kusha and other DRDO programmes progress through testing and development, India is aiming to build a stronger home-grown shield capable of responding to the changing nature of aerial warfare.
