The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) Kusha from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its indigenous air defence capabilities.
Announcing the successful test, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Kusha missile system is capable of neutralising a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), missiles and large enemy aircraft across varying ranges and altitude envelopes.
In a post on X, Singh congratulated the DRDO team and described the test as a major achievement in India’s defence research and development programme.
“The DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile Kusha today from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha,” the Defence Minister said.
He added that the successful maiden flight marked an important milestone in Indian defence R&D, noting that only a handful of countries possess the capability to independently develop long-range surface-to-air missile systems.
According to the Defence Minister, the development of the Kusha missile system will significantly reduce India’s dependence on imports for advanced air defence systems while providing a major boost to the country’s indigenous military capabilities.
DESIGNED FOR LONG-RANGE AIR DEFENCE SHIELD
The Kusha programme is designed to provide India with a layered long-range air defence shield capable of intercepting multiple types of aerial threats over extended distances and at different altitudes. Officials have said different variants of the missile are planned, with engagement ranges expected to extend up to 350-400 kilometres.
The successful maiden flight test is expected to pave the way for further developmental trials before the system enters service. Once operational, the Kusha missile system is expected to substantially enhance India’s air defence architecture and reinforce the country’s push towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies under its indigenous defence manufacturing programme.
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Published By:
Ritaban Misra
Published On:
Jul 23, 2026 19:47 IST
