India's DRDO conducts first flight test of Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation has carried out the first flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile at APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The test was described by the Ministry of Defence as successful, with the missile intercepting an electronic target that simulated a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat. The launch marks a new step in India's effort to build an indigenous long-range air defence capability.
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According to the official statement, the maiden test took place on Thursday and was monitored by Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman of DRDO, Rajesh Kumar Singh. The ministry said the system successfully engaged the target during the trial. It added that all major weapon-system elements, including the missiles, radars and command-and-control centre, have been developed by DRDO laboratories and industry partners.
Project Kusha is being developed as a long-range air-defence system intended to protect strategic military and civilian assets and infrastructure from a range of aerial threats. Those threats include fighter jets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and large enemy aircraft within a wide range and altitude envelope. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the success of the test was an important milestone in Indian defence research and development and would help reduce import dependence for such systems.
The trial comes as India continues to expand its domestic air-defence architecture. The supporting material says a long-range surface-to-air missile typically has a range of more than 200 km, while India already operates the Russian S-400 Triumf system, which is understood to be capable of hitting targets up to 400 km away. In that context, Kusha appears to be part of a broader push to strengthen layered air defence with systems developed at home.
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The test also follows last year's maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System, or IADWS, which combines Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles, Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System missiles and a high-power laser-based directed energy weapon. Together, Kusha and IADWS are presented by officials as major steps towards a home-grown nationwide security shield under Mission Sudarshan Chakra over the next 10 years. That makes the latest trial significant not only as a technical milestone, but also as part of a longer-term defence modernisation plan.
What remains unclear from the available information is the full performance envelope of Kusha, including its final range, deployment timeline and whether further flight tests are planned. The ministry has not given a schedule for induction into service. For now, the successful interception at APJ Abdul Kalam Island is the clearest sign yet that the programme is moving from development towards a more advanced testing phase.
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