DRDO’s Project Kusha

The Union Defence Minister describes DRDO’s indigenous Project Kusha as a “game changer” for India’s security architecture. Project Kusha is being developed as a long-range surface-to-air missile system and is linked to the broader “Mission Sudarshan Chakra” for a multi-layered air and missile defence shield by 2035.

Project Kusha (DRDO):

Dimension	Key Details
Developing agency	Project Kusha is established under DRDO.
Type	Project Kusha comprises a long-range indigenous surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
Coverage	Project Kusha provides for a comprehensive shield against a wide range of aerial threats.
Interceptor variants and ranges	Project Kusha comprises 3 interceptor variants: M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km), and M3 (350–400 km).
Threats countered	Project Kusha provides for countering fighter aircraft, including stealth platforms; drones; cruise missiles; precision-guided munitions; and certain ballistic missile threats.
Platform comparison (as described)	Project Kusha comprises a design comparable to advanced platforms like Russia’s S-400 Triumf.
Mission linkage	Mission Sudarshan Chakra provides for building a multi-layered air and missile defence shield for India by 2035, and Project Kusha is governed by this mission linkage.