Project Kusha: India's Indigenous Long-Range Air Defence System Takes Shape
The Defence Minister, speaking at a defence event in Hyderabad at the inauguration of the Advanced Weapon System Complex at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), described Project Kusha as a "game changer" for India's security.
He credited DRDO-developed weapons with playing a decisive role during Operation Sindoor, India's military operation in May 2025 targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Project Kusha, India's indigenous Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) programme, has completed its initial development trials, with the first flight test of the M1 interceptor now being prepared.
The system is being developed by DRDO's Hyderabad-based laboratories, with Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as key industry partners under the Make in India framework.
The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved procurement of five squadrons for the Indian Air Force at an estimated cost of approximately ₹21,700 crore.
Project Kusha: India's Long Range Air Defence Programme
Project Kusha, also designated the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) or Programme Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (PG-LRSAM), is DRDO's flagship initiative to develop an indigenous multi-layered, long-range surface-to-air missile system. It is designed to fill the gap above the medium-range Barak-8/MR-SAM (80 km range) and to eventually serve as an indigenous complement or successor to the Russian S-400 Triumf system.
The Defence Minister's statement at the DRDL inauguration directly praised Project Kusha, citing the validation of indigenous air defence systems during Operation Sindoor as the immediate driver of confidence in the programme's strategic value.
India's Layered Air Defence Architecture
Modern air defence is not a single system but a layered architecture — each tier designed to intercept threats at different ranges and altitudes. India has been building such a layered structure using both imported and indigenous systems.
Project Kusha will plug a critical gap in long-range indigenous capability, reducing dependence on the S-400 (a Russian system that carries supply-chain and sanctions risks) and completing the indigenisation of India's layered air defence.
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP): Project Kusha's Lineage
Project Kusha's lineage traces to the IGMDP, launched in 1983 under the scientific leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. IGMDP was a comprehensive programme to develop a family of guided missiles to reduce India's dependence on foreign weapon imports.
Key Details
- IGMDP produced five missile systems: Agni (ballistic), Prithvi (surface-to-surface), Akash (surface-to-air), Trishul (short-range surface-to-air), and Nag (anti-tank).
- Akash, the most successful product, became the first fully indigenous operational SAM system; Trishul was discontinued.
- IGMDP laid the institutional infrastructure — laboratories, test ranges, private sector linkages — that now enables advanced programmes like Kusha and BrahMos.
- Project Kusha represents the next generation: where IGMDP addressed short-range needs, Kusha targets long-range and high-altitude threats.
The Defence Minister's remarks at the DRDL inauguration are continuous with a decades-long journey from IGMDP to Project Kusha, each step increasing the sophistication and range of India's indigenous missile shield.
Make in India in Defence: Policy and Industrial Framework
The government's Make in India initiative in defence aims to reduce the import bill (India was historically among the world's top arms importers), build a domestic defence industrial base, and enable exports.
Project Kusha is a flagship demonstration of Make in India in high-technology defence — DRDO provides the design and technology, while private industry delivers scale, reducing both foreign exchange outflow and strategic vulnerability.
- Operation Sindoor: India's military operation in May 2025 striking nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK; showcased Akash, Barak-8, BrahMos, and S-400 systems in active deployment.
- S-400 Triumf: Procured from Russia under a ~$5.4 billion deal (2018); delivery began in 2021; five squadrons contracted; carries risk of US CAATSA sanctions and Russian supply-chain dependency.
- Project Kusha budget: ₹21,700 crore (~$2.6 billion) for five IAF squadrons — broadly comparable to the S-400 deal cost.
- M1 interceptor flight test is the next major developmental milestone (2026).
- Three interceptor tiers — M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km), M3 (350–400 km) — using a modular design with common guidance systems.
- DRDL (Defence Research and Development Laboratory), Hyderabad — the lead laboratory for Project Kusha within DRDO.
- BEL and L&T are the primary industry development partners; BEL is also the manufacturer of the Akash weapon system.
- India's defence exports crossed ₹21,000 crore in FY2024 — indigenous programmes like Akash are also being marketed to friendly nations.