New Delhi: In the backdrop of strained relations with neighbouring countries, India is actively developing a long-range air defence system known as Project Kusha. This indigenous system, comparable to Israel’s renowned Iron Dome and Russia’s S-400 Triumph, is set to be deployed by 2028-2029. Project Kusha aims to provide robust air defence capabilities and enhance national security.

Project Kusha is designed to detect and neutralize a wide range of threats, including stealth fighter planes, aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided weapons. It boasts an impressive interception range of up to 350 kilometers, making it a formidable defence system. Even the slightest miscalculation by adversary nations like China and Pakistan could result in significant consequences.

The Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) system, developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) under Project Kusha, shares similar capabilities with the Russian S-400 Triumph air defence system. The Indian government’s commitment to this mission is evident as the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the LR-SAM system in May 2022. Recently, the Defence Ministry granted Approval of Requirement (AoN) for the Indian Air Force to procure five squadrons of this advanced air defence system.

The LR-SAM system will employ various interceptor missiles tailored for targeting and destroying incoming threats at different ranges: 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km. DRDO emphasizes that the system will effectively counter high-speed targets with low radar cross-section, providing comprehensive air defence coverage in both strategic and tactical vulnerable areas. Furthermore, the LR-SAM will have the capacity to engage fighter aircraft at a range of 250 kilometers and intercept large aircraft at a distance of 350 kilometers with the support of AWACS (airborne warning and control systems) and mid-air refuelling.

The firing units of the LR-SAM system will be seamlessly integrated into the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This fully automated air defence network connects a variety of weapon systems, including fighter aircraft and ground-based missiles, ensuring a coordinated and robust defence strategy. India’s air defence arsenal encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from older Igla, OSA-AK-M, and Pechora missiles to more advanced systems like the Israeli Spyder quick-reaction missile, the indigenous Akash area defence missile, and the jointly developed Barak-8 medium-range SAM systems in collaboration with Israel, boasting a range of over 70 kilometers.