Project Kusha is a programme under the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), for developing the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS), also referred to as XRSAM[a] or PGLRSAM[b]. The goal is to design a transportable, long-range surface-to-air missile system. The missile system will consist of at least three types of interceptors and is expected to be deployed by the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy by 2028–2029.[1][5][6]
The missile system might used to bridge the gap between the MR-SAM (80 km) and S-400 (400 km). It is being developed as an area-defence system. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be the lead agency for this air defence system.[7][2]
The project was cleared for development by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in May 2022, and was granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in September 2023 for procuring five of its squadrons for the IAF for ₹21,700 crore (US$2.6 billion).[2]
The naval version of the missile might be also developed to supplement the LR-SAM missile in the Indian Navy.[4][8]
As of August 2024, DRDO is about to start the fabrication process of 5 M1 missiles (range of 150 km). DRDO has also placed order for 20 sets of airframes, 20 sets of rocket motors, 50 sets of kill vehicles (warhead), onboard & ground transceivers for telemetry. The missiles are expected to begin testing in early 2025.[9][10]
Design
The missile system includes at least three types of interceptor missiles. The missiles will have ranges of 150 km, 250 km and 350 km. This system will also feature advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars.[5][2] The air defence system will be capable of detecting and destroying enemy assets like cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and drones at around 250 km range and larger aircraft like airborne early warning and control (AEW&CS) at a range of 350 km.[7] The missiles may also possess short or medium range BMD capabilities. It will have a single-shot kill probability more than 80% and not less than 90% probability in salvo launch mode.[1][2]
The missile batteries will be able to “interact” with the IAF’s integrated air command and control system (IACCS). It is a fully-automated air defence network operated by Indian Air Force which will be built to combine numerous military and civilian radars with each other in Indian airspace to make the Air Defence system more efficient and reliable.[1]
According to a report, the naval variant exceeding 250 km-range missile will be capable of intercepting anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) with a speed of Mach 7.[6]
