Bharat Electronics Set to Secure ₹40,000 Crore Order for India’s Indigenous Kusha Air Defence Project

Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), India’s leading defence electronics manufacturer, is on the brink of landing a massive ₹40,000 crore order for its involvement in Project Kusha — a next-generation indigenous air defence system being developed as a homegrown alternative to the Russian S-400.

Partnering closely with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), BEL is playing a vital role in building key components of Project Kusha, especially the advanced radar systems and central control technologies that will form the backbone of this state-of-the-art missile defence network. The project is one of India’s most ambitious efforts to boost self-reliance in critical defence technology.

During a recent earnings call, BEL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Manoj Jain, shared that the company is currently waiting for a final decision on who will be appointed the system integrator for Project Kusha. If BEL is selected as the sole or joint integrator, the expected ₹40,000 crore order would significantly expand the company’s already strong order book and strengthen its leadership position in the Indian defence sector.

Project Kusha is designed as a multi-layered air defence system, capable of intercepting threats at various ranges — with three different interceptor missiles that can target threats at 120 km, 250 km, and 350 km. Once complete, it will offer protection against a wide array of aerial threats including cruise missiles, drones, and stealth aircraft. The system is being developed to rival the capabilities of the S-400 as well as Israel’s Iron Dome, and will work alongside India’s current missile defence assets like the Indo-Israeli Barak 8 and the Russian S-400.

Development of the Kusha system is already in motion, with BEL and DRDO working together on prototype subsystems. The current plan is to complete initial development within the next 12 to 18 months. After that, user trials will begin — a process that could take between one to three years depending on the complexity of the tests and evaluation results. Only after successful trials will the official order for full-scale production be placed.

Apart from Project Kusha, BEL is also in advanced discussions for a ₹30,000 crore contract for the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system, intended for the Indian Army and Air Force. This deal is expected to be finalised either by the end of this financial year or early next year. If all goes as planned, BEL’s total order inflows could exceed ₹50,000 crore in the near term — a major leap forward for the company.

BEL has already secured ₹3,300 crore in new orders this year and expects to reach ₹27,000 crore in fresh order inflows even without the QRSAM contract. The addition of the Kusha and QRSAM orders would make it a record-breaking year for the company.

Project Kusha not only demonstrates India’s strategic push for self-reliance under the "Make in India" initiative but also marks a significant leap in building homegrown defence systems. Importantly, the system is designed to work in harmony with existing S-400 systems, allowing shared radar data and coordination — a major advantage in creating a truly layered and integrated air defence network.

With Project Kusha and other major defence projects on the horizon, BEL stands to play a central role in modernising India’s military capabilities, ensuring the nation stays secure with cutting-edge indigenous technology.