NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to erect a multi-layered, home-grown air defense dome—termed Mission Sudarshan Chakra—is rapidly moving forward. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is preparing a series of flight tests over the next 12 months featuring three distinct interceptors under Project Kusha, designed to engage incoming aerial threats between the 120 km and 400 km range bands.

Step-by-Step Interceptor Rollout

The trials follow DRDO's successful maiden flight-test of the Kusha M-1 interceptor (120 km range) off the coast of Odisha. The upcoming roadmap includes:

  • M-1 Interceptor: Tested for engagement targets up to 120 km.

  • M-2 Interceptor: Mid-tier interceptor targeted for ranges up to 150 km.

  • M-3 Interceptor: Long-range interceptor built to destroy high-altitude threats at distances up to 400 km.

Bridging India’s Air Defense Networks

Project Kusha was initially approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in May 2022, but development gained significant momentum following Operation Sindoor. During that conflict, Pakistan launched nearly 1,000 projectiles—including missiles and kamikaze drones—toward Indian territory. Guided by the automated Akashteer air defense control and reporting network, defense batteries successfully intercepted every inbound target without allowing a single strike.

The three Project Kusha interceptors are long-range surface-to-air missiles engineered to neutralize stealth aircraft, cruise platforms, and heavy drone swarms. By filling the critical operational gap between India's 80 km Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) and long-range systems like the S-400 Triumf, Kusha will serve as the backbone of the country's anti-ballistic shield.