![\"DRDO](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132583862,imgsize-40794,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/kusha-lr-sam-image-credit-drdo.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO<\/a>) on Thursday successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, marking a major milestone in India’s efforts to develop an indigenous long-range air defence shield.According to DRDO, the Kusha missile system is designed to neutralise a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and large enemy aircraft across an extended range and altitude envelope.The successful test marks a key step in the development of Project Kusha, India’s indigenous long-range air defence programme that aims to rival systems such as Russia’s S-400 Triumf and the US MIM-104 Patriot.Project Kusha is being developed by DRDO as the backbone of India’s future long-range air defence network. The system is planned as a three-tier architecture comprising M1, M2 and M3 interceptor missiles with engagement ranges of approximately 150 km, 250 km and up to 350-400 km, respectively.Also read: Project Kusha: India\u2019s 400-km \u2018Made in India\u2019 missile shield to counter China and Pakistan<\/a>Once operational, the missile shield will be capable of intercepting fighter aircraft, stealth platforms, drones, cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions and certain classes of ballistic missile threats. The interceptors are expected to travel at speeds of around Mach 5.5 and will be supported by advanced radars, fire-control systems and network-centric command infrastructure.The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in September 2023 for the procurement of five squadrons of Project Kusha for the Indian Air Force. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is the principal industry partner for radar systems and overall integration.The indigenous system is expected to integrate with the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enabling real-time tracking and engagement of multiple aerial threats while reducing India’s dependence on imported strategic air defence systems.Project Kusha also forms a key component of the proposed Mission Sudarshan Chakra, India’s plan to establish a multi-layered national air and missile defence shield by 2035, combining long-range interceptors with quick reaction surface-to-air missiles, very short-range air defence systems, directed energy weapons and indigenous ballistic missile defence capabilities.<\/div>\n NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, marking a major milestone in India’s efforts to develop an indigenous long-range air defence shield.According to DRDO, the Kusha missile 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DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday successfully carried out the maiden flight test of the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, marking a major milestone in India’s efforts to develop an indigenous long-range air defence shield.According to DRDO, the Kusha missile […]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 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