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In a decisive push to strengthen indigenous defence capability, India has launched Project Kusha, an ambitious long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) programme poised to reshape the nation’s air defence architecture. Recently approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the initiative underscores India’s determination to reduce dependence on foreign imports—such as Russia’s S-400—and secure greater strategic autonomy in critical defence technologies.

Named after the son of Lord Rama, Project Kusha envisions a three-layered missile shield capable of intercepting hostile aircraft, drones, and even ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 400 kilometres. It is designed to fill the gap between India’s existing medium-range defences and imported S-400 batteries, creating a seamless, layered umbrella to protect both civilian and strategic military assets.

At its core, the system will deploy three interceptor variants in a concentric defensive grid. The M1 interceptor, with a reach of around 150 km, will serve as the first line of active defence against aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic threats. The M2, with a range of up to 250 km, offers deeper coverage and improved seeker performance to counter more agile targets in midcourse flight. The most potent layer, the M3 interceptor, is designed to neutralise high-value or high-altitude threats up to 350–400 km away, leveraging larger boosters and advanced kill-vehicle avionics to tackle long-range ballistic trajectories. Together, these interceptors create an overlapping, graduated shield—M1s for proximal engagements, M2s for manoeuvring intruders, and M3s for long-range, high-priority threats.

Despite their range differences, analysts suggest that all three may employ a common kill vehicle, comprising a seeker and warhead, mounted on boosters of varying power. This modular approach improves cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility.

The system’s backbone will be a network of long-range surveillance and fire-control radars, integrated into the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This will enable commanders to track, prioritise, and engage multiple targets in real time. Missile guidance will rely on a hybrid seeker package combining radio-frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) sensors, reinforced by secure datalinks. Notably, open-source assessments suggest a single-shot kill probability of around 80 percent, which could exceed 90 percent in salvo mode, where two interceptors are launched at a single target.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is tasked with delivering the system by 2028–2030. With eight squadrons reportedly planned at an estimated cost of ₹40,000 crore, the programme will see significant contributions from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and other public-sector units, ensuring that the effort remains predominantly indigenous.

Importantly, Project Kusha is not confined to land-based defence. Defence planners are already exploring navalised variants to shield carrier battle groups and coastal regions. There is also speculation that future iterations could possess the capability to intercept anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs)—a rare capability today limited to a handful of global powers.

Beyond the technology, Project Kusha carries strategic weight. By developing such a system indigenously, India mitigates vulnerabilities to supply-chain disruptions, gains the ability to tailor defences to its own operational requirements, and opens the door for potential exports. This would not only bolster national security but also reinforce India’s emerging profile as a credible defence exporter.

Yet the challenges remain formidable. Long-range propulsion systems, dual-mode seeker technology, and seamless radar integration rank among the most demanding tasks in missile engineering. Extensive trials under diverse conditions will be critical to proving the system’s reliability.

Unsurprisingly, Project Kusha is being measured against global benchmarks such as Russia’s S-400 and the futuristic S-500. While it may not immediately match the exo-atmospheric interception capabilities of the S-500, Kusha already represents a credible indigenous alternative to the S-400. With sustained development, it could evolve into a world-class system in the coming decades—solidifying India’s march towards strategic self-reliance in air defence. 

The lessons from Operation Sindoor have underlined why India urgently needs an indigenous, layered long-range air defence system like Project Kusha. During the operation, India’s vulnerabilities to hostile long-range missiles and advanced aerial threats became starkly evident. While imported systems such as the S-400 provide protection, their limited numbers and dependence on foreign suppliers create strategic gaps that adversaries could exploit.

In the post-Sindoor environment, the need is not just for defence-in-depth but for strategic autonomy. Project Kusha promises both: a shield to protect vital civilian and military assets, and a milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in advanced air defence technology.