India’s Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS), widely known as Project Kusha, is actively drawing the attention of the international community.
Although the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is still in the testing phase of the roughly ₹21,700 crore project, nations across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are closely monitoring its progress.
These global players view the indigenous Indian shield as a budget-friendly substitute for premium platforms like the Russian S-400 Triumf, which often carry prohibitive price tags and geopolitical risks, such as the threat of US CAATSA sanctions.
The financial framework of Project Kusha is one of its strongest selling points.
The estimated manufacturing cost for its interceptor missiles is projected to sit between ₹40 crore and ₹50 crore per unit. In stark contrast, equivalent Russian interceptors can easily exceed ₹100 crore each.
This massive reduction in cost changes the global landscape of long-range air defence. It opens the door for developing nations to establish robust, multi-layered security networks without draining their military budgets on a limited arsenal of expensive missiles.
Moving past older technologies designed in the early 2000s, Project Kusha features cutting-edge advancements tailored for modern, network-centric warfare. A major highlight is its ability to counter stealth technology.
The system utilises a secondary Very High Frequency (VHF) radar specifically configured to detect low-observable, fifth-generation fighter jets.
This capability gives Kusha a distinct advantage over traditional X-band radars, which frequently struggle to track the unique shapes and coatings of stealth aircraft.
The system also stands out for its advanced networking capabilities.
Kusha is being built to seamlessly connect with India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Army's Akashteer battlefield management network.
For international buyers, this open, modular architecture means the system can be easily linked into their existing air defence setups.
It offers foreign militaries unmatched flexibility for future upgrades and data management, a stark contrast to the rigid, closed-off systems typically sold by global competitors.
In terms of operational effectiveness, the system promises exceptional precision.
Reports indicate that DRDO is targeting an 85 percent single-shot kill probability (SSKP).
When following the standard military tactic of firing two missiles in rapid succession to defeat enemy jamming and evasive manoeuvres, the success rate climbs to a highly reliable 98.5 percent.
To achieve this, Project Kusha will deploy three distinct tiers of interceptor missiles to create a comprehensive shield.
The M1 missile will cover distances up to 150 km, designed to take down cruise missiles, drones, and standard fighter jets.
The M2 variant will push the defensive boundary to 250 km, targeting high-speed threats and stealth aircraft.
Finally, the formidable M3 interceptor will reach up to 400 km, specifically engineered to eliminate vital enemy support assets, such as mid-air refuelling tankers and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) planes.
To meet both domestic and future international demand, Indian defence contractors are already scaling up their infrastructure.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) are expanding their manufacturing facilities within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, with the goal of producing 300 to 400 missiles annually by 2032.
However, foreign buyers will likely have to wait. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has prioritized an initial requirement for five squadrons, with domestic inductions scheduled between 2028 and 2030 before exports can begin.
Ultimately, Project Kusha is a strategic game-changer. By building a highly capable, long-range air defence network domestically, India is establishing itself as a serious competitor against global defence giants like Russia’s Almaz-Antey and America’s Raytheon.
Crucially, because India retains complete sovereign control over the software and source codes, the system comes with no external "kill switches."
This guarantees absolute operational independence for international buyers, freeing them from the political pressures often attached to foreign military purchases.
