Project Kusha
India's Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) Programme
Project Kusha is a DRDO programme to develop an indigenous long-range air defence system capable of intercepting fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and stand-off weapons at ranges up to 350–400 km. It is designed to close the capability gap between India's home-grown Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM, effective range roughly 70–80 km) and the Russian-origin S-400 Triumf (range up to 400 km), forming a key layer of India's multi-layered, integrated air defence architecture.
- Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in May 2022
- Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of five Indian Air Force squadrons granted by the Ministry of Defence in September 2023, at an estimated cost of ₹21,700 crore
- Three planned interceptor variants — M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km) and M3 (350–400 km) — allowing layered engagement of threats at different ranges and altitudes
- Being developed indigenously to reduce dependence on imported long-range air defence systems
● Tracked since June 12, 2026 · last seen July 23, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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