The Kusha M-1 interceptor, which has a 120-kilometer range, was tested for the first time by the DRDO on Thursday off the coast of Odisha. The M-2 interceptor, which has a 150 km range, and the M-3 interceptor, which has a 400 km target range, will then be tested. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved initiative Kusha in May 2022, but the initiative gained momentum during Operation Sindoor, in which Pakistan fired up to 1000 projectiles against India. The Akash Teer missile system successfully intercepted all of the missiles and kamikaze drones that failed to reach their target in India.
All three of Project Kusha’s interceptors are long-range surface-to-air missiles capable of eliminating any aerial threat to India. The core of the Indian anti-ballistic missile system will be the M-1, M-2, and M-3 interceptors, which will bridge the gap between the S-400 air defense system and Indian 80 km range medium range surface missiles.
The Narendra Modi administration has given Project Kusha significant priority after the Iran-US war and Operation Sindoor shown that only standoff weaponry, such as missiles and drones, will be used in warfare. Iran has launched thousands of drones and missiles against Israel and the Gulf countries since February 28. Despite the US-Israel and Gulf countries’ anti-ballistic missile systems, Iran has been able to hit targets.
DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the indigenous ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, successfully intercepting a high-speed, high-altitude aerial target. The advanced system is capable of engaging a wide spectrum of… pic.twitter.com/BjJo74PcAx
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) July 23, 2026
The Indian military realized it needed an LR-SAM to defend its vital infrastructure and combat platforms during Operation Sindoor. Project Kusha has long-range radars that can detect enemy missile shooting across the border and get ready to eliminate the aerial danger, even if the three interceptors are part of the kinetic force utilized against hostile missiles and drones. India is anticipating the arrival of the fifth contracted S-400 system from Russia in November of this year, given the importance of anti-ballistic missile defense.
In order to add more than 280 S-400 missiles to its arsenal, India has already started work on purchasing five more S-400 systems from Russia under the buy and make route. Regulatory permissions will shortly follow.
India is developing its long-range missile capacity in case Pakistan uses the terrorism card against India once more, as Op Sindoor has not been canceled.