Kusha LR-SAM Maiden Flight Test by DRDO Off Odisha
Why in the news
DRDO flew its new Kusha air-defence missile for the first time and scored a successful interception.
Key facts
- Venue: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, 23 July 2026.
- Target: electronic decoy of a fast, high-altitude threat.
- Watched by: Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, with Integrated Test Range support.
Interceptor family
| Variant | Range |
|---|---|
| M1 | Up to 150 km |
| M2 | Up to 250 km |
| M3 | Up to 350 km |
About Project Kusha
- Fully automated, scalable indigenous system that detects, tracks and destroys aerial threats from standoff distances.
- Aim: a layered national shield matching the Sudarshan Chakra vision, ending foreign air-defence imports.
- Local subsystems: AESA radars, command centres with battle management software, precision seekers.
Exam angle
- Developer: DRDO, with industry partners.
- Vision: Sudarshan Chakra.