DRDO Successfully Conducts Maiden Flight Test of Indigenous ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Air Defence Missile
By Anil P. Kastuar | Editor, IBG NEWS
New Delhi, July 23, 2026: India has achieved another significant milestone in strengthening its indigenous air defence capabilities with the successful maiden flight test of the ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The missile was successfully test-fired from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on Thursday. During the trial, the system engaged and destroyed an electronically simulated high-speed, high-altitude aerial target, demonstrating its capability to intercept advanced airborne threats with precision.
The successful maiden trial marks a major step in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in advanced missile defence technology under the country’s indigenous defence development programme.
Designed to Counter Multiple Aerial Threats
According to DRDO, the Kusha missile system has been designed to defend against a broad spectrum of modern aerial threats, including:
- Fighter aircraft
- Cruise and other guided missiles
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
- Large airborne platforms and surveillance aircraft
The system is capable of engaging targets over a wide range of distances and altitudes, significantly enhancing India’s layered air defence architecture.
Indigenous Technology at Its Core
All major components of the Kusha weapon system—including the interceptor missile, surveillance and fire-control radars, command-and-control network, and supporting systems—have been developed indigenously by various DRDO laboratories in collaboration with Indian defence industry partners.
The project reflects India’s growing capability to design and manufacture sophisticated missile systems domestically, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
Rajnath Singh Hails the Achievement
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO scientists and industry partners, describing the successful test as a landmark achievement in India’s defence research and development programme.
He stated that the Kusha missile system places India among a select group of nations possessing indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile technology. The Defence Minister added that the programme would substantially reduce import dependency while providing a significant boost to the country’s air defence preparedness.
DRDO Leadership Monitored the Test
The launch was monitored by Defence Secretary, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, who congratulated the scientific teams, engineers and industry partners for the successful maiden flight test.
He praised the collaborative efforts of DRDO laboratories and Indian industry, emphasizing that the achievement demonstrates the country’s growing technological capabilities in advanced defence systems.
Strengthening India’s Air Defence Shield
The successful maiden flight of the Kusha missile system comes at a time when India is rapidly modernising its integrated air defence network to address evolving regional and global security challenges.
With indigenous programmes such as Akash, QRSAM, XRSAM, and now Kusha, India continues to expand its layered missile defence capability while advancing the national objective of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence manufacturing.
The successful test represents another important milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in indigenous defence technology and advanced missile systems.
