BEL Fast-tracks 'Desi S-400' Project Kusha with Focus on 12-18 Month Prototype Development and Subsequent Extensive User Trials

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a key Indian public sector undertaking in the defence sector, has reaffirmed its dedication to speeding up the development and operational readiness of critical defence projects.

Prominently featured in these efforts is Project Kusha, a strategic programme led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) aimed at significantly enhancing India’s air defence capabilities.

This project is widely regarded as India's initiative to develop an indigenous long-range air defence system, often informally referred to as an Indian counterpart to systems like the S-400.

BEL has outlined an ambitious development schedule for Project Kusha, which centres on creating an advanced, domestically produced long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) system.

According to company statements, the immediate priority is the development of a working prototype, which is expected to be completed within the next 12 to 18 months.

This crucial phase will then be succeeded by extensive user trials. These trials are projected to last for an additional 12 to 36 months, with the exact duration depending on the outcomes of rigorous testing and validation processes designed to ensure the system's effectiveness and reliability against various aerial threats.

The timeline for formal procurement orders for the LR-SAM system will be contingent upon the successful conclusion of these development and trial stages.

BEL's pronounced focus on accelerating system readiness underscores its strong commitment to fulfilling the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces. This also aligns with the nation's broader strategic push towards achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, a key component of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) initiative.

Under the leadership of the DRDO, Project Kusha aims to deliver a state-of-the-art air defence system capable of identifying, tracking, and neutralizing a diverse array of aerial threats. These include hostile aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) at extended ranges, reportedly up to 350 kilometres.

BEL’s integral role in this project highlights its expanding expertise in the complex integration of advanced electronics, sophisticated radar systems, and cutting-edge missile technologies, all of which are critical to the successful realisation of this advanced air defence system.

As India intensifies its efforts to develop indigenous defence solutions and reduce dependency on foreign military hardware, BEL’s proactive approach in Project Kusha signifies a substantial step towards strengthening national security. The company’s emphasis on rapid prototyping and ensuring system readiness reflects a larger strategic vision.

This vision is aimed not only at diminishing reliance on international suppliers but also at establishing India as a notable contributor and leader in global defence technology. The successful induction of such a system would mark a significant milestone for India's indigenous defence industry.

 

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[sanket]

Nice, that means Project Kusha will have extended range, which is 400 km. User trials will take another 36 months. Overall, 4 to 5 years will be taken for the induction of the first Kusha, subject to passing all trials and any new demand changes from the user. This will be a good option for imported similar air defence systems, being cost-effective in the future and reducing dependence on importing missiles.

 

[Enforcer]

An easy way to increase hit probability & lethality is to increase the warhead size. 50kg or more.

That is the design preference of Russians.

Obviously both accuracy and large warheads can be devastating.

 

[DefStock]

Nice, that means Project Kusha will have extended range, which is 400 km. User trials will take another 36 months. Overall, 4 to 5 years will be taken for the induction of the first Kusha, subject to passing all trials and any new demand changes from the user. This will be a good option for imported similar air defence systems, being cost-effective in the future and reducing dependence on importing missiles.

Can't take that long. Expedited meaning 1 year at max. If they actually use additive manufacturing and AI-based design tools and 3D printing, the timeline could be cut significantly.

 

[sanket]

Can't take that long. Expedited meaning 1 year at max. If they actually use additive manufacturing and AI-based design tools and 3D printing, the timeline could be cut significantly.

Prototype development will take 12 months, shortened from 18 months as per the article, while user trial will take 36 months in all weather conditions, from rainy, hot, and cold climates (desert, Himalayan Mountains), plus any last-moment feedback.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

I still think India should buy a few more S-400 systems. Our indigenous system is still at least 5 years late. Two more S-400 systems should be ordered, making it a total of 7 systems. India needs it to counter any threat from China, Pakistan, and now the Bangladesh border too. The government is also in touch with Russia to buy more S-400 systems.

 

[DANSTINE]

Can anyone tell me why the S-400 was pushed so much when it wasn't even used or at most, very minimally? For drones, it was mostly the L-70 gun or anything integrated with Akashteer. Since no one said anything about who intercepted the nuclear-capable missile, we don't know if it was a psychological push to corner Pakistan or if it was a failure. It would have been better if we had focused the same effort towards Akash air defence or Akashteer, indigenous systems.

 

[bonito]

This is important to safeguard many of the strategic assets like ports, plants, and even religious and historic monuments. Also, certain B cities can be safeguarded.

 

[ARIJIT]

Can anyone tell me why the S-400 was pushed so much when it wasn't even used or at most, very minimally? For drones, it was mostly the L-70 gun or anything integrated with Akashteer. Since no one said anything about who intercepted the nuclear-capable missile, we don't know if it was a psychological push to corner Pakistan or if it was a failure. It would have been better if we had focused the same effort towards Akash air defence or Akashteer, indigenous systems.

Because a Chinese attack is on the horizon and it will be much, much bigger in size than what we've seen this month, we need more air defence and S-400 can keep PLAAF at bay.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Can anyone tell me why the S-400 was pushed so much when it wasn't even used or at most, very minimally? For drones, it was mostly the L-70 gun or anything integrated with Akashteer. Since no one said anything about who intercepted the nuclear-capable missile, we don't know if it was a psychological push to corner Pakistan or if it was a failure. It would have been better if we had focused the same effort towards Akash air defence or Akashteer, indigenous systems.

Even though it may not have taken much part in action, it did act as a deterrent. Pakistani fighters didn't dare come near the border. There are unconfirmed claims that S-400 did shoot down some aircraft.

 

[Bhishma]

Can anyone tell me why the S-400 was pushed so much when it wasn't even used or at most, very minimally? For drones, it was mostly the L-70 gun or anything integrated with Akashteer. Since no one said anything about who intercepted the nuclear-capable missile, we don't know if it was a psychological push to corner Pakistan or if it was a failure. It would have been better if we had focused the same effort towards Akash air defence or Akashteer, indigenous systems.

S-400 is for long-range/high-value targets. It's all integrated under Akashteer from what I heard. The AI decides which component to use for what targets. So, a small quadcopter drone will be intercepted with L-70, and an F-16 will be intercepted by S-400. Also, range plays a factor. For short ranges, we will be using Barak-8 or Akash. I think there is some cover-up - my suspicion is S-400 was involved in taking down F-16/AWACS deep inside Pak territory.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a very important and critical project that will improve our air defence systems. We will need to develop an integrated, multi layer and overlapping air defence system with EW/ESM so that it can intercept low and high altitude stealth fighters, stealth bombers, AWACS, stealth missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, swarm drones, kamikaze drones and standard drones which is the current and future threat.

With the air defence system using missiles or rockets to intercept aerial threats are expensive against a variety of cheap drones and it’s not cost effective which is why we need to develop a CIWS. To intercept these type of threats we should integrate our upgraded L70 air guns which can automatically search, track and destroy the threat by using explosive shrapnel rounds. Another alternative would be to develop a 30mm automatic cannon which can search, track and destroy cheap aerial threats.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

During this conflict, all the systems developed and produced by HAL, BEL, DRDO, BDL, and every private company performed well. They should carry on this good work, and the government should encourage the Atmanirbhar program.

We eliminated more than 2500 terrorists. This was our main purpose. We eliminated more than 1000 Pakistani soldiers, 50 Turks, 28 Chinese, and 7 Americans. These were all collateral damages due to the overconfidence of Pakistan, the Chinese, Turks, and Americans that they are better than Indians.

We destroyed 11 airbases, 4 nuclear weapons storage sites, 17 aircraft of different types, and more than 2000 drones. In return, we lost 6 Lakshya and Banshee target aircraft, which had radar signatures of Rafale, Sukhois, and Mig 29.

This is why many countries, including the USA, have lost their mental balance and are taking weird decisions. So whatever comments and fake images are spread on social media, the truth will always remain the same.

 

[Hawkeye]

Can anyone tell me why the S-400 was pushed so much when it wasn't even used or at most, very minimally? For drones, it was mostly the L-70 gun or anything integrated with Akashteer. Since no one said anything about who intercepted the nuclear-capable missile, we don't know if it was a psychological push to corner Pakistan or if it was a failure. It would have been better if we had focused the same effort towards Akash air defence or Akashteer, indigenous systems.

Who said S-400 was not used? It’s all S-400. Why would they order more S-400 missiles right after the conflict, to replenish lost missiles? There is also Akash and MR-SAM marketing involved. They are also going to buy more S-400/S-500 batteries on top of the five previously ordered. We should explore the possibility of using Indian-made missiles in S-400, replacing Russian missiles.

 

[Tera Box]

Government should do something about trials. I meant, by the time these trials end, technology becomes obsolete. I know we have some variety of terrains, but still, can't we do something about speeding up the process?

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

The missile will be on par with S-400 missiles, which are very fast at Mach 14. Also, the radars should have a minimum 1000 km range and can have frequency hopping techniques. It should have capabilities to engage IRBMs.