Project Kusha will cut India’s dependence on imported air shield systems like Russian S400 in future: DRDO expert

India's Project Kusha, developed by DRDO, is a homegrown long-range air defence system designed to rival Russia's S-400 Triumf and US's MIM-104 Patriot.

The maiden flight test of a long-range Kusha missile was conducted on July 23 as part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra.

Kusha uses three interceptor variants: M1 (up to 150 km), M2 (up to 250 km), and M3 (350-400 km) to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and certain ballistic and hypersonic threats.

It will complement and gradually replace the Russian S-400 system, reducing India's dependence on imported defence shields.

The system is slated for full induction between 2028 and 2030, with Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Solar Industries, and Bharat Electronics as development partners.