Overview
- The DRDO conducted the maiden flight test on July 23, 2026, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island and reported a successful intercept of an electronic target simulating a high‑speed, high‑altitude aerial threat.
- Project Kusha is being built as a three‑tier long‑range surface‑to‑air system with interceptor variants M1, M2 and M3 planned to cover roughly 150 km, 250 km and up to 350–400 km engagement bands.
- The Defence Acquisition Council approved an Acceptance of Necessity for procurement of five Kusha squadrons in September 2023 and DRDO says major elements—interceptors, radars and command‑and‑control—were developed with domestic industry partners including Bharat Electronics Limited.
- Officials say further developmental firings of the M2 and M3 interceptors are planned over the next 12 months and that the system remains in testing before phased induction expected in the late 2020s.
- Kusha is designed to complement existing systems such as the imported S‑400 and to form a backbone of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, which aims to create an integrated, multi‑layer national air and missile defence shield and reduce import dependence.