Project Kusha: India’s Indigenous 350 km SAM – A Gamechanger in Air Defence

As regional tensions simmer along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is accelerating Project Kusha—India’s most ambitious long-range surface-to-air missile program.
Set for induction by 2028, Project Kusha is engineered to counter stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and drone threats well beyond 300 km, not only rivalling but in some ways surpassing imported systems like Russia’s S-400 and China’s HQ-19.

From Vulnerability to Vanguard: Why Kusha Matters

India’s vulnerability to cutting-edge air threats was exposed during recent flare-ups, especially Operation Sindoor, where the IAF’s robust defence network—anchored by the S-400—thwarted coordinated enemy attacks.
However, the limitations of imported systems called for an indigenous solution.
(IAF-DRDO upgrades S-400 after Op Sindoor)

Launched in 2019 under DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence Phase-II, Project Kusha plugs these gaps. Its modular missile suite—variants with 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km ranges—offers layered, adaptive defence for multiple threat spectrums, from fighters and bombers to drones and even hypersonic targets.

Homegrown Tech and Strategic Edge

• Mobile, canister-launched missiles—ready for rapid deployment
• AESA-based Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR-II)—co-developed with Bharat Electronics Limited, enabling 400+ km detection against low-signature targets
• ‘Hit-to-kill’ warheads and dual RF/IR seekers for 98% kill probability, capable of defeating ECM and stealth
• AI-driven fire control systems—autonomous threat prioritization in saturation scenarios, with input from IIT Bombay

The system’s backbone is its seamless integration with DRDO’s Long-range Optical Detection Network (LODN), making it highly resistant to jamming and deception tactics.
(DRDO’s LODN Stealth Detection)

Multi-Layered Shield with Global Potential

Kusha does not stand alone. Its induction will complement existing S-400 and Akashteer networks, tying into the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) for real-time coordination.
(Akashteer 2.0: DAC Expansion Post-MoD Surge)

Unlike Russia’s S-400 (focused on a single-tier, 400 km envelope), Project Kusha’s three-tier design offers flexibility and scalability, making it potentially attractive to ASEAN and QUAD partners looking for rapidly deployable and interoperable air defence.

India plans to deploy five Kusha regiments initially by 2028—Ladakh, Arunachal, and vulnerable western/coastal sectors—fortifying areas most threatened by China’s J-20s or emerging drone swarms from Pakistan.

Domestic Defence Ecosystem and Atmanirbhar Bharat

Over 80% of Kusha is indigenous, with Bharat Dynamics Limited leading final integration and an expanding supply chain of MSMEs. This large-scale defence order—worth ₹21,000 crore in Phase 1—will generate over 15,000 specialized jobs and substantial vendor growth in Telangana and Karnataka.

Kusha leverages experience from earlier indigenous successes and its AI-driven architecture is a direct result of collaboration with academic institutions and industry.
(Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) in India)

Overcoming Obstacles

The road to Kusha’s induction is not without hurdles. Delays in high-thrust motor development and the complexity of hypersonic intercept tests pose challenges. However, recent successful warhead tests at Pokhran—intercepting a simulated J-20 at 200 km—demonstrate robust progress.

DRDO plans advanced integration drills with S-400 and Akashteer by 2026, aiming for full IACCS synergy around 2028, overlapping the operationalization of new Tejas Mk-1A squadrons and AMCA stealth fighters.
(AMCA Prototype Rollout)

The Future of Indian Air Defence

By 2028, Project Kusha could be the gold standard in indigenous air defence, laying the groundwork for Ballistic Missile Defence Phase-III.

Related reading:

• India-UK £350M Missile Deal: Modernization Synergy
• Inside India’s Modern-Day Deterrence – Operation Sindoor 2025
• BrahMos on Wings: IAF Accelerates Su-30MKI Integration

Project Kusha is more than just a missile—it is a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat, combining state-of-the-art innovation with strategic resilience. As India stands on the cusp of global leadership in missile defence, Kusha will be its flagship, decisively shaping the subcontinent’s airspace security for decades to come.