DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight test of indigenous Kusha Air Defence Missile
India achieved a significant milestone in its defence programme on Thursday after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the first flight test of the indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) Kusha.
The trial took place at APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the successful test and said the Kusha system is designed to intercept a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and large airborne platforms operating across different altitudes.
Congratulating the DRDO team, Singh described the achievement as an important step forward for India’s defence research ecosystem, noting that only a limited number of countries possess the capability to independently develop long-range air defence missile systems.
He added that the project would strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing while reducing dependence on imported air defence technologies.
The Kusha programme aims to provide the country with a layered air defence network capable of engaging multiple airborne threats over long distances. Officials have indicated that different variants of the missile are under development, with some expected to have interception ranges of up to 350 to 400 kilometres.
The successful maiden flight marks the beginning of further developmental testing before the missile system is considered for induction into the armed forces. Defence officials believe the system will significantly enhance India’s air defence capability once operational.