SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step toward bolstering India’s indigenous air defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a call for bids to develop a Mobile Launcher System for the M2 and M3 interceptor missiles under Project Kusha, also known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) or Programme Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (PGLRSAM).
The mobile launcher system is critical for ensuring the operational flexibility and rapid deployment of the M2 (250 km range) and M3 (350–400 km range) interceptors, designed to counter advanced aerial threats, including stealth jets, drones, cruise missiles, and anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs).
Project Kusha, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in May 2022 with an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in September 2023 for five Indian Air Force (IAF) squadrons at a cost of ?21,700 crore (US$2.6 billion), is a flagship DRDO initiative to develop a long-range surface-to-air missile system. The system comprises three interceptor variants—M1 (150 km), M2 (250 km), and M3 (350–400 km)—designed to bridge the gap between the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM, 80 km) and the Russian S-400 (400 km). Led by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI), with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as a key development partner, Project Kusha aims to neutralize a wide range of threats, including stealth fighters, precision-guided munitions, and Mach 7 ASBMs, with a single-shot kill probability of 80–90%.
The M1 interceptor, based on the Akash-NG airframe, is in the fabrication stage, with its first trial scheduled for September 2025. The M2 and M3 interceptors, designed for longer ranges and specialized roles like countering Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) and ballistic missiles, are still under development, with trials planned for 2026 and 2027, respectively. The full system is expected to be inducted into the IAF and Indian Navy by 2028–2030, enhancing India’s strategic autonomy under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.