DRDO Prepares to Launch First Test of Kusha Project M1 Interceptor Missile

India’s quest for strategic autonomy in missile defence is advancing toward a crucial milestone. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing to test the first interceptor under Project Kusha, a long-range, multi-layered air defence system that aims to protect the nation against modern aerial, ballistic, and hypersonic threats. The initial test of the Kusha M1 interceptor, expected around 2025 End, will take place from the Dhamra range in Odisha, according to reports.

A Vision Beyond Imported Systems

Project Kusha stands as India’s most ambitious initiative to develop a homegrown alternative to the Russian S-400. Designed as a Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) and Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) network, it seeks to provide a three-tier interceptor shield capable of engaging threats from low-altitude drones and aircraft to high-speed ballistic and hypersonic weapons.

The project evolved from DRDO’s earlier Advanced Air Defence (AAD) and Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) systems and is being advanced under India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a broader program to establish an integrated national air defence architecture.

Its foundation lies in one principle — self-reliance in strategic defence technology. All subsystems, from propulsion to radar and guidance, are being indigenously developed by DRDO’s cluster of research centres including DRDL, RCI, ASL, and LRDE.

The Kusha M1: The First Shield

The Kusha M1 interceptor is designed as the endo-atmospheric component of the system, capable of engaging hostile aircraft, drones, and short-range ballistic missiles within a radius of around 150 km. Though exact performance details remain classified, reports describe it as a high-speed interceptor powered by a solid-propellant motor and equipped with an active radar seeker for terminal guidance.

The M1 will operate alongside DRDO’s Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR) and Multi-Function Fire Control Radar (MFCR), enabling real-time threat detection, target tracking, and command coordination. Its upcoming test from Dhamra, Odisha, will validate the missile’s target acquisition, discrimination, and interception capabilities.

The Kusha M2 and M3: Expanding the Defence Envelope

The Kusha M2 and Kusha M3 interceptors will extend India’s defensive reach into the exo-atmospheric and near-space domains:

• Kusha M2, with an expected range of around 250 km, is designed to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles and advanced aerial threats at higher altitudes.

• Kusha M3, still in the design phase, is projected to cover up to 350–400 km, providing interception capability against long-range ballistic and potential hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs).

Together, the M1–M3 series will provide multi-layered defence, ensuring overlapping coverage and multiple engagement opportunities against any incoming threat.

Advanced Radar and AI Integration

A key component of Project Kusha’s architecture is its S-band Long Range Battle Management Radar, capable of scanning a 500–600 km radius (310–370 miles). This radar can detect and track ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions, offering early warning and engagement support across a vast battlespace.

To optimize engagement decisions and response timing, the system will feature an AI-enabled decision support framework. This digital command layer will process real-time radar data, assess threat profiles, and coordinate interceptor launches with precision, reducing human reaction time and increasing system resilience against saturation attacks.

In Phase-2 of Project Kusha, DRDO plans to develop interceptors with anti-hypersonic capabilities and ranges exceeding 400 km (250 miles). This phase will focus on neutralizing next-generation hypersonic glide vehicles and maneuvering warheads that challenge current missile defence systems worldwide.

Timeline of Development

The project’s total cost is reported at around ₹21,700 crore, with funding distributed across radar development, missile propulsion, and command system integration.

Strategic Significance

Once operational, Project Kusha will establish India’s first fully indigenous, multi-tier missile defence network, capable of countering a spectrum of modern threats—from ballistic missiles to stealth aircraft and hypersonic vehicles. It will complement existing systems such as the S-400 Triumf, Akash-NG, and MR-SAM, forming a resilient, layered shield over strategic regions and key infrastructure.

The combination of AI-driven command systems, long-range radars, and indigenous interceptors represents a new era in Indian defence — one where real-time response, speed, and autonomy converge.

Every aspect of Project Kusha showcases India’s evolution from a technology importer to a technology creator. Built by DRDO’s network of scientists, the project is more than a weapon system — it is a symbol of sovereignty and a declaration that India’s skies will be defended by Indian innovation.