Context: India is embarking on Project Kusha, a mission designed to enhance its air defence capabilities with a system rivalling the effectiveness of the renowned S-400.

• It includes the acquisition of three long-range Interceptor missiles with ranges of 150km, 250km, and 350km, ensuring comprehensive protection against aerial threats.

• These missiles have a high single-shot kill probability of at least 85% and can increase this to 98.5% when two different missiles are launched sequentially with a short gap.

About Project Kusha

• This indigenous air defense system is designed to detect and destroy a wide array of threats, including stealth fighters, aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and precision-guided munitions at ranges of up to 350 km.

• Developed by: Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

• Aim: It seeks to establish a formidable three-layered defense system with the capability to neutralize enemy aircraft and missiles from extended distances effectively.

• Estimated Cost: In the budget of Rs 21,700 crore

Key Features

Long range radars for surveillance

• Advanced radars capable of detecting and tracking multiple threats simultaneously

Interceptor missiles with varying ranges

• Missiles with interception ranges of 150 km, 200 km and 350 km

• Effective against aircraft, drones, missiles, rockets etc. at different altitudes and ranges

High single shot kill probability

• Missiles equipped with modern seekers for high accuracy and lethality

Protection against wide-ranging aerial threats

• Provides multi-layered protection against fighter jets, UAVs, cruise missiles etc.

Integration with IAF’s air command & control system

• Connectivity with diverse military radars

• Enables coordinated responses for optimal air defense

Significance of ‘Project Kusha’

• Rising Regional security threat from China and Pakistan.

• China has accelerated development of indigenous defence capabilities. It has already deployed Russia’s S-400.

• China’s close ties with Pakistan has raised concerns about potential China-Pakistan collaboration in strengthening Pakistan defence capabilities against India.

Importance for India

• Self-reliance in defense technology

• Enhanced deterrence against aggression

• Elevates India’s global defense stature

Additional Fact

About S-400 Triumf

• The S-400 Triumf is a mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia.

• The S-400 is capable of intercepting and destroying various aerial targets, such as aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

• It has an operational range of up to 400 kilometres and a surveillance range of up to 600 kilometres. It can engage targets up to an altitude of 30 kilometers flying at a speed of 17,000 kilometers per hour or around 13 Mach – 13 times the speed of sound. 

• The S-400 is considered one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems that can simultaneously track and neutralize a range of incoming aerial threats.