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DRDO Conducts Maiden Flight-Test of ‘Kusha’ Long-Range SAM
DRDO conducts a successful maiden flight-test of the ‘Kusha’ long-range Surface-to-Air Missile from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The test relates to Project Kusha, an indigenous long-range SAM defence system being developed by DRDO.
Project Kusha (Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile System):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Developing authority | Project Kusha is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). |
| System type | Kusha comprises an indigenous, long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) defence system. |
| Threat coverage | Kusha is capable of neutralising aerial threats including fighter jets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and large enemy aircraft. |
| Operational envelope | Kusha is capable of operating within a wide range and altitude envelope. |
| Role in air defence | Kusha provides for a key element of India’s planned air defense umbrella called Sudarshan Chakra. |
| Interoperability | Kusha is designed to complement Russia's S-400. |
| Interceptor variants | It features three interceptor variants with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350–400 km. |
| Other defence systems | Other defence systems comprise THAAD (United States), Patriot PAC-3 (United States), and Iron Dome (Israel). |