DRDO's Project Kusha Targets S-500 Level Capabilities with Interceptor Missile Tech, Promising Cost-effective Long-range Air Defence for India

India is advancing its goal of self-sufficiency in defence technology with Project Kusha, a domestically developed long-range air defence system spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This system is engineered to offer capabilities comparable to Russia's S-400 Triumf and is set to be a crucial component of India’s comprehensive air defence network.

Project Kusha will initially employ three types of interceptor missiles, designed to engage aerial threats such as stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles at distances of 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km.

Project Kusha represents the initial stage of a more extensive, phased initiative aimed at creating very long-range surface-to-air interceptor missiles, drawing on experience from India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program. Future stages, potentially including Phase-II and Phase-III, are planned to incorporate capabilities such as defence against hypersonic threats.

This development indicates India's ambition to match or potentially exceed the performance of sophisticated systems like Russia’s S-500, heralding a significant evolution in the nation's strategic defence capabilities.

Further developments under Project Kusha are expected to include a Phase-II, which will concentrate on developing interceptor missiles with extended range and advanced features intended to equal or outperform Russia’s S-500 Prometheus system.

The S-500 is known for its ability to counter hypersonic missiles and engage targets up to 600 km away, placing it at the forefront of air defence technology.

Although detailed plans for Kusha’s Phase-II are not public, the DRDO aims to develop interceptors capable of reaching targets beyond 400 km. These will be equipped with upgraded sensors to effectively engage more elusive and high-speed threats.

This phase is also anticipated to feature improvements in radar systems, including an enhanced Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar with a projected range of 1,500 km, alongside artificial intelligence-driven systems to aid in coordinating intercepts.

The goal of Phase-II to exceed S-500 capabilities addresses India's strategic requirement to counter the expanding missile arsenals of potential adversaries. This includes nations possessing long-range ballistic missiles and those involved in the transfer of medium-range missile systems in the region.

Developing the capacity to intercept such threats at greater distances is vital for protecting essential infrastructure, nuclear command facilities, and major cities.

This indigenous development aims to lessen India's dependence on imported defence systems, thereby strengthening its strategic independence.

Furthermore, Project Kusha is presented as a financially viable solution, with an estimated cost of ₹21,700 crore (approximately $2.6 billion USD) for five squadrons for the Indian Air Force, compared to the reported $5.25 billion cost for a similar number of S-400 units. This cost-effectiveness supports India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) policy.

Known alternatively as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) or Programme Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (PGLRSAM), Project Kusha is a mobile, long-range air defence system.

It is intended to fill the operational space between India's current Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM), which has an 80 km range, and the S-400 system, capable of reaching 400 km.

Project Kusha will utilize three distinct interceptor missiles, designated M1, M2, and M3, with engagement ranges of 150 km, 250 km, and 350 km, respectively.

As of August 2024, the M1 missile was reportedly in its manufacturing phase and scheduled for testing shortly; the DRDO has commissioned an initial set of components for this missile.

The M2 and M3 missiles, which are still in development, are designed to engage larger targets such as Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) up to 350 km away and will also offer capabilities for defending against short-to-medium-range ballistic missiles.

Project Kusha incorporates sophisticated long-range surveillance and fire control radars that can monitor airspace up to 500-600 km into adversarial territory. This provides early detection of various threats, including cruise missiles, stealth aircraft, drones, and precision-guided weapons.

The M1 and M2 interceptor missiles both use a 250 mm diameter 'kill vehicle' (the part that destroys the target), powered by a dual-pulse solid rocket motor and featuring thrust vector control for high agility in engaging targets up to 150 km.

The M3 missile, likely equipped with a larger 450 mm diameter kill vehicle, is designed for longer-range interception up to 350 km. It is stated to have a high success rate, with a single missile achieving at least an 85% probability of destroying a target, increasing to 98.5% when two missiles are fired in quick succession.

This multi-layered capability will provide extensive area defence for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy, with deployment anticipated around 2028–2029.

To accelerate development and enhance performance, Project Kusha will utilize technologies and missile designs from India's existing Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program for its interceptors.

For example, the M3 interceptor incorporates parts from current BMD missiles, making it particularly effective against long-range aerial threats such as AWACS aircraft and electronic warfare systems.

This sharing of technology between air defence and missile defence initiatives helps the DRDO lower development expenses and shorten project timelines, while also boosting the system's overall effectiveness.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will lead the integration of Project Kusha into its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This will ensure smooth operation alongside other air defence systems currently in use, such as the Akash, Barak-8, and the S-400, of which three units are reportedly operational on India's northern frontiers.

 

[sunnyp343]

Great.

 

[Gary]

Analysing the latest attack on Russian Air Fields deep inside, we need to also develop point defence systems capable of destroying FPV and other improvised short range drones. A 6 barreled 7.62 gattling gun coupled with a 20 km radar on a mobile platform will be an ideal choice for this threat.

 

[sanket]

Nice, that not only solves long-range dependency but also strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat and the local supply chain, which will speed up the requirement. Secondly, it is almost half the price of S-400, further saving both foreign exchange and offering a cheaper option to induct. Nice to know DRDO Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar will upgrade to a range of 1500 km. This project is very important, from saving foreign exchange to earning foreign exchange opportunities.

 

[swatkats_razor]

While we must develop solutions to counter ballistic missiles in excess of 12,000 kms, I suspect the Chinese will use their ICBMs to target India, except perhaps in case of a second strike from an SSBN submarine. This makes mastering the 5,500 km range anti-ballistic missiles the most crucial coverage to realise in the short run.

 

[king dorm]

With Chinese help, Pakistan will get more fighter jets and even 5th-gen jets before us. We cannot compete with Chinese manufacturing of fighter jets. So we have to invest more in our air defence system; Kusha is a good step forward. But we also need to find a modern solution for our L-70 guns to deal with drones; vehicle-mounted AK-630s will be a good choice. We need to work more on that.

 

[Instant Karma]

Best time for India to join S-500 partnership with Russia. Next time we can kill as many Chinese satellites as we like.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

With Chinese help, Pakistan will get more fighter jets and even 5th-gen jets before us. We cannot compete with Chinese manufacturing of fighter jets. So we have to invest more in our air defence system; Kusha is a good step forward. But we also need to find a modern solution for our L-70 guns to deal with drones; vehicle-mounted AK-630s will be a good choice. We need to work more on that.

You cannot handle a 5th gen jet by just upgrading the air defence system. India should also buy limited numbers of 5th gen jets; otherwise, there will be serious consequences. Samay rahte action lena chahiye warna bad main pachtana padega.

 

[king dorm]

You cannot handle a 5th gen jet by just upgrading the air defence system. India should also buy limited numbers of 5th gen jets; otherwise, there will be serious consequences. Samay rahte action lena chahiye warna bad main pachtana padega.

At this moment, there are no fifth-gen fighters for us to buy. We cannot buy F-35s because then we would have to get USA approval every time we want to use them; we will be completely dependent on them. The Su-57 might look like a better choice, but many defence experts have said it's not a true fifth-gen, and there are severe doubts regarding its stealth capability. So, in our MRFA, we are going to get 4.5 gen planes, while China will start giving Pakistan J-35s by the end of this year.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

At this moment, there are no fifth-gen fighters for us to buy. We cannot buy F-35s because then we would have to get USA approval every time we want to use them; we will be completely dependent on them. The Su-57 might look like a better choice, but many defence experts have said it's not a true fifth-gen, and there are severe doubts regarding its stealth capability. So, in our MRFA, we are going to get 4.5 gen planes, while China will start giving Pakistan J-35s by the end of this year.

SU57 can take on Chinese 5th gen jet easily. F35 is the best option, but we know US mentality. Doval is already in Russia, maybe he is there for some defence deals. India needs a 5th gen at this moment. Buying 4.5 gen under MRFA does not make any sense. Buy a few squadrons of SU57, then upgrade existing SU30 fleet. Expedite Tejas and AMCA programme. We already built radars to keep an eye on any jet. Missile defence system is already under development. If India buys limited numbers of SU57, the matter will be sorted.

 

[Enforcer]

Kusha and S-400 have very different approaches.

Kusha is more of a modular system which utilizes same missile with different boosters. The warhead is gonna be an issue with that since same size warheads will have to be fit on the shortest range and the longest range.

S-400 has individual missiles designed separately for each range. And the warheads are much larger since its individually designed.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical project that we desperately need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture with Indian raw materials in private .

The only downside is that it will take around 6-8 years for them to develop it and then start to manufacture the SAM. We will always need to test and operate it very thoroughly in real live fire scenarios, firing it in very hot and cold weather conditions, regularly suffer from heavy rain and snowstorms etc.

What we also need to do is develop a 50km shorter range missile and an 500-600km long range missile that can give us more interception options. So far developing a SAM with just 3 missiles will limit its capabilities and range but having 5 different type will give us a comprehensive air defence system. We will also need to protect the S400, Kusha and any other SAM.

 

[Akshat]

You cannot handle a 5th gen jet by just upgrading the air defence system. India should also buy limited numbers of 5th gen jets; otherwise, there will be serious consequences. Samay rahte action lena chahiye warna bad main pachtana padega.

That's a fallacy. You can't counter a fifth-gen fighter with a fifth-gen fighter, buddy. That's like saying you need a submarine to counter a submarine. That doesn't work. You indeed need better ASW. Similarly, here you need better ADS.

 

[Christopher]

We must deploy Lazer weapons at all important junctions speed up the process , trust the start ups. Have faith in the youth give them the opportunity they can do wonders. Government can finance them from time to time. Of a Lazer wall orvtower is made along the border. It will be helpful. Beside that we must have a 24x7x365 surveillance system from air land and water including space to keep a check on porkistan and chin Chong ping pong

 

[pgahlot]

This is a critical project that we desperately need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture with Indian raw materials in private .

The only downside is that it will take around 6-8 years for them to develop it and then start to manufacture the SAM. We will always need to test and operate it very thoroughly in real live fire scenarios, firing it in very hot and cold weather conditions, regularly suffer from heavy rain and snowstorms etc.

What we also need to do is develop a 50km shorter range missile and an 500-600km long range missile that can give us more interception options. So far developing a SAM with just 3 missiles will limit its capabilities and range but having 5 different type will give us a comprehensive air defence system. We will also need to protect the S400, Kusha and any other SAM.

We already have Akash ADS (40 Kms range), MRSAM (80 Kms range). And then S-400 with 150, 250 and 400 kms range, but these missiles are very costly. To fill this gap, we are developing Project Kusha which will give us better options.