SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
India’s ambitious plan to establish a comprehensive multi-tiered air defense system has taken a significant step forward with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) commencing the fabrication of M1, M2, and M3 interceptors. These interceptors form the core of Project Khusha, an indigenous air defense program that aims to create a layered shield capable of protecting the country from a wide array of airborne threats, including hypersonic missiles.
According to sources, DRDO has placed an order for the fabrication of 12 units of the three interceptor variants, marking a critical milestone in the development of the defense system. The goal is to deploy the long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) system under Project Khusha by 2028-2029, with a maximum interception range of 350 km.
Project Khusha is designed to provide India with a robust air defense capability, forming a multi-tiered shield that can neutralize incoming threats at various altitudes and ranges. The system’s layered structure will allow for the interception of enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and, crucially, the growing threat of hypersonic weapons.
M1/M2/M3 Interceptor Series: Multi-Layered Defense
The M1, M2, and M3 interceptors under Project Khusha represent different tiers in India’s envisioned air defense umbrella. Each tier is tailored to address specific threats at varying ranges and altitudes, ensuring a comprehensive defense against an array of airborne dangers. The current fabrication of 12 units of these interceptors demonstrates India’s commitment to rolling out a fully operational system by the end of the decade.
M1 Interceptor: Positioned as the first line of defence, the M1 is designed to engage long-range threats at distances of up to 150 km. This interceptor will handle high-altitude and long-distance ballistic missile threats, serving as the foundation of Project Khusha’s upper-tier defence.
M2 Interceptor: The M2 is tasked with intercepting threats at intermediate ranges, providing a second layer of defence. This medium-range interceptor is crucial for engaging targets that evade the M1 tier or are detected at longer distances at over 250 km.
M3 Interceptor: The third layer, the M3, is tailored for long-range and high-altitude threats. Its fast response time makes it critical for defending against cruise missiles, drones, and even incoming hypersonic missiles that manage to penetrate the outer layers of defence.
One of the standout features of Project Khusha is its M3 Interceptor, which is designed to operate at ranges of up to 350 km. This long-range capability ensures that threats can be neutralized before they come within striking distance of critical assets on Indian soil.
The Project Khusha Radar is expected to incorporate advanced radar and sensor systems that can detect and track even the most elusive targets, including low radar cross-section (RCS) hypersonic missiles. By integrating multi-sensor data fusion and fire control systems, the Radar will provide highly accurate targeting information to the M1/M2/M3 interceptors, ensuring high interception success rates.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.