SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s quest for self-reliance in defense technology has taken a significant leap forward with Project Kusha, an indigenous long-range air defense system being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Designed to match the capabilities of Russia’s S-400 Triumf, Project Kusha is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s multi-layered air defense architecture. Featuring three types of interceptor missiles with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km, the system aims to neutralize a wide array of aerial threats, from stealth fighters to ballistic missiles.
However, Project Kusha is not just a standalone system—it marks the first phase of a broader, multi-phase program to develop very long-range surface-to-air interceptor missiles, drawing inspiration from India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program. With plans for Phase-II and maybe even a Phase-III, including anti-hypersonic capabilities, India is positioning itself to rival or even surpass advanced systems like Russia’s S-500, signaling a transformative shift in its strategic defense posture.
An exclusive details by idrw.org reveals that Project Kusha will extend into a Phase-II, focusing on interceptor missiles with greater range and capabilities to rival or surpass Russia’s S-500 Prometheus system. The S-500, designed to counter hypersonic threats and engage targets at ranges up to 600 km, represents the pinnacle of modern air defense technology. While specifics of Kusha’s Phase-II remain classified, the DRDO’s roadmap suggests the development of interceptors with enhanced range, possibly exceeding 400 km, and improved sensors to tackle stealthier, faster threats. This phase will likely incorporate advancements in radar technology, such as the Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar, which DRDO plans to upgrade to a 1,500 km range, and AI-enabled decision support systems for intercept coordination.
Phase-II’s focus on surpassing the S-500 aligns with India’s strategic need to counter the growing missile capabilities of adversaries like China, which possesses long-range ballistic missiles up to 12,000 km and is transferring medium-range systems to Pakistan. The ability to neutralize such threats at extended ranges will protect critical infrastructure, nuclear command centers, and urban population centers, reducing India’s reliance on foreign systems and enhancing its strategic autonomy. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of Kusha—estimated at ?21,700 crore for five IAF squadrons—compared to the $5.25 billion for five S-400 units, makes it an attractive option for India’s defense budget, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Project Kusha, also known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) or Programme Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (PGLRSAM), is a mobile, long-range air defense system designed to bridge the gap between India’s existing Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM, 80 km) and the S-400 (400 km). The system features three interceptor missiles—M1, M2, and M3—with ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km, respectively. The M1, currently in the fabrication stage as of August 2024, is set to begin testing soon, with the DRDO having ordered 20 sets of airframes, 20 rocket motors, and 50 kill vehicles for the initial batch. The M2 and M3, still under development, will extend the system’s reach to counter larger targets like Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) at 350 km and provide short-to-medium-range ballistic missile defense (BMD) capabilities.
The system’s design leverages advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars, capable of scanning 500–600 km into enemy territory, providing early warning against threats like cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, drones, and precision-guided munitions. The M1 and M2 interceptors share a common 250 mm diameter kill vehicle equipped with a dual-pulse solid rocket motor and thrust vector control (TVC), ensuring high maneuverability to engage targets at 150 km. The M3, with a potentially larger 450 mm diameter kill vehicle, is optimized for long-range engagements up to 350 km, boasting a single-shot kill probability of at least 85% (and up to 98.5% in salvo mode with two missiles launched five seconds apart). This layered approach ensures comprehensive coverage, making Project Kusha a formidable area-defense system for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy, with deployment targeted for 2028–29.
Drawing from this expertise, Project Kusha will borrow technologies and missile structures from the BMD program to develop its interceptors. The M3 interceptor, for instance, utilizes components from existing BMD missiles, optimizing it for long-range aerial threats like AWACS and electronic warfare platforms. This synergy between air defense and missile defense programs allows DRDO to reduce development costs and timelines while enhancing system capabilities. The IAF, as the lead agency, will integrate Project Kusha with its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), ensuring seamless coordination with other systems like the Akash, Barak-8, and S-400, three units of which are already deployed along India’s northern borders.
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