News: DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) system.

About

• Kusha Missile is an indigenous long-range air defence system developed by DRDO under Project Kusha.
• Aims to strengthen India's multi-layered air defence network.

Key Highlights

• Comparable to Russia's S-400 Triumf and the US MIM-104 Patriot.
• Capable of intercepting: Fighter aircraft, Cruise missiles, Ballistic missiles, UAVs (Drones), Large enemy aircraft, Provides long-range, high-altitude air defence.

Project Kusha

• Developed by DRDO as India's future long-range air defence backbone.
• Three-tier interceptor system: M1: ~150 km, M2: ~250 km, M3: ~350–400 km
• Forms a key component of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India's proposed multi-layered air and missile defence shield targeted for 2035.