SOURCE: AFI
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is gearing up for the highly anticipated first test of the M-1 missile under Project Kusha, India’s ambitious initiative to develop a long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) system. Scheduled to be launched shortly from Launch Complex-IV (LC-IV) at Dhamra, Odisha, the M-1 missile test marks a critical milestone in India’s quest to build a multi-layered air defense shield comparable to Russia’s S-400 Triumf and Israel’s Iron Dome.
Project Kusha, also known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) or Programme Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (PGLRSAM), is a DRDO-led effort to develop a transportable, long-range air defense system. 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 Rs 21,700 crore (US$2.6 billion), the project aims to deploy the system by 2028–2029. The system will complement existing platforms like the Indo-Israeli Barak-8, Russian S-400, and India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, bridging the gap between the MR-SAM (80 km) and S-400 (400 km).
The M-1 missile, with a range of 150 km, is one of three interceptor variants under development, alongside the M-2 (250 km) and M-3 (350 km). Designed to neutralize threats such as stealth fighters, cruise missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions (PGMs), the M-1 features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) seeker, infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) guidance, and a dual-pulse motor for enhanced maneuverability. The system boasts a single-shot kill probability of at least 80% and over 90% for salvo launches, integrating seamlessly with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) for real-time coordination with military and civilian radars.
The upcoming test of the M-1 missile, expected in early June 2025, follows the DRDO’s fabrication of five M-1 prototypes as of August 2024. The agency has placed orders for 20 sets of airframes, 20 rocket motors, 50 kill vehicles (warheads), and telemetry transceivers, signaling a robust pre-test preparation phase. The M-1, based on the Akash-NG airframe, incorporates a booster with a 1,150mm length and a 135kg grain mass, featuring Thrust Vector Control (TVC) and a new ‘Indhan-1’ propellant with a higher pressure index for improved performance. The kill vehicle, equipped with a Seeker Stabilization and Tracking System (SSTS) similar to the Akash-NG, can track targets with a velocity of 2,300 m/s and a radar cross-section of 2 m² at over 20 km.
The M-1 test comes at a critical juncture as India faces growing aerial threats from China and Pakistan. China’s deployment of long-range ballistic missiles and advanced platforms like the J-20 stealth fighter, coupled with its support for Pakistan’s air defense systems, necessitates a robust Indian response. The recent Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, demonstrated India’s reliance on indigenous systems like the Netra Mk1 AEW&C and SkyStriker loitering munitions, underscoring the need for advanced air defense to counter drones, cruise missiles, and anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). The naval variant of Project Kusha’s M-2 missile, with a range exceeding 250 km, is designed to intercept ASBMs traveling at Mach 7, enhancing the Indian Navy’s fleet protection.
While Project Kusha represents a bold step toward strategic autonomy, challenges remain. The reliance on imported components for initial prototypes, delays in S-400 deliveries due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the complexity of integrating a multi-layered defense system pose hurdles. The DRDO’s decision to add a booster to the M-1’s kill vehicle to achieve the 150 km range highlights ongoing technical refinements, with further tests needed to finalize the M-2 and M-3 configurations. Collaboration with private players like BEL and potential partnerships with firms like Tata Advanced Systems will be crucial for scaling production and meeting the 2028–2029 deployment timeline.
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