DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight test of Kusha missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) Kusha from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, marking a key milestone in India's efforts to strengthen its air defence capabilities.

The Kusha missile system is capable of neutralising a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and large enemy aircraft across a broad range and altitude envelope.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the successful trial, saying it marked an important milestone in India's defence research and development.


"The capability in developing a long-range surface-to-air missile system is possessed only by a handful of nations. This will also eliminate import dependency for such systems and signifies a giant leap in the nation's air defence capability," Singh said in a post on X.

The successful maiden test is expected to bolster India's indigenous air defence programme by reducing reliance on imported long-range air defence systems while enhancing the country's ability to counter diverse aerial threats. The development also reflects the government's continued push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Kusha is being developed as an indigenous long-range air defence system and is designed to provide layered protection against multiple airborne threats over extended ranges and varying altitudes. The successful maiden flight test marks a significant step towards its induction into the armed forces following further developmental trials.