DRDO Conducts Maiden Flight Test of Kusha Long-Range Air Defence Missile

25 July 2026National

The DRDO on 24 July 2026 carried out the maiden flight test of the indigenous Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. Kusha (Project Kusha / LR-SAM) features three interceptor variants with ranges of about 150 km, 250 km and up to 400 km, able to engage fighter aircraft, drones and missiles. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2022, the Rs 21,700-crore programme is expected to enter service between 2028 and 2030, reducing India's reliance on imported systems such as the Russian S-400. The launch was monitored by DRDO Chairman and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

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DRDO founded: 1958; HQ: DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi | APJ Abdul Kalam Island (ex-Wheeler Island) is India's main missile test range off Odisha | S-400 Triumf is a Russian long-range SAM

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DRDO test-fired the indigenous Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile (up to 400 km) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. • A Rs 21,700-crore CCS-2022 project to cut S-400 dependence, with induction in 2028-2030. • Kusha's three interceptors cover 150/250/400 km against aircraft, drones and missiles.

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