DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of Project Kusha — India's Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) — from APJ Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) off the coast of Odisha on July 23, 2026. Described as India's 'Desi S-400', Kusha is designed to engage aerial threats at distances up to 350 km and at altitudes up to 35 km. It is mounted on road-mobile launchers and integrated with India's network-centric air defence architecture. Developed by DRDO with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as the key production partner. Kusha is intended to provide area air defence for the Indian Air Force, with potential later induction into the Indian Army.
Defence
DRDO Successfully Tests Project Kusha Long-Range SAM in Maiden Flight — India's Indigenous S-400 Alternative; 350 km Range
Key Points
- DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of Project Kusha — India's Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) — from APJ Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) off the coast of Odisha on July 23, 2026
- Described as India's 'Desi S-400', Kusha is designed to engage aerial threats at distances up to 350 km and at altitudes up to 35 km
- It is mounted on road-mobile launchers and integrated with India's network-centric air defence architecture
- Developed by DRDO with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as the key production partner
- Kusha is intended to provide area air defence for the Indian Air Force, with potential later induction into the Indian Army
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• DRDO Project Kusha: LR-SAM maiden flight test July 23, 2026; APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha • Range: 350 km; altitude: 35 km; road-mobile launchers; network-centric air defence integration • Development: DRDO + BEL (Bharat Electronics Limited); for Indian Air Force (later Indian Army) • 'India's Desi S-400'; indigenous alternative to Russia's S-400 Triumf air defence system
