India successfully tests long-range 'Kusha' air defence missile system

In a major step in strengthening the country's air defence capabilities and reducing dependence on imported weapon systems, India on Wednesday successfully conducted the test flight of the indigenous 'Kusha' long-range surface-to-air missile system.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with industry partners, the 'Kusha' system is designed to neutralise a range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and large enemy aircraft across a wide range and altitude envelope.

The system's key components including the missiles, radars, and command-and-control centre—have all been developed indigenously by various DRDO laboratories and industry partners.

Describing the successful test as a significant achievement for India's defence research, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the milestone demonstrated the country's growing capability to develop advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems, a technology possessed by only a handful of nations.

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He said the successful development of the 'Kusha' system would help reduce India's reliance on imports for such critical defence platforms while providing a major boost to the country's air defence architecture.

Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Rajesh Kumar Singh, who monitored the launch, congratulated the DRDO scientists and all teams associated with the successful test flight.

The successful trial is expected to advance India's efforts to build a layered, indigenous air defence network capable of countering a broad spectrum of aerial threats.