Operators
India
Indian Air Force — 5 Squadrons (on order). [5] 
Indian Navy — Planned
| Project Kusha | |
|---|---|
| Type | Long-range surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2028 (planned) [1] |
| Used by | Indian Air Force (on order) Indian Navy (planned) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | |
| Designed | 2023 - present |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Electronics |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead | Fragmentation |
Detonation mechanism | Optical proximity fuze, hit-to-kill |
Operational range | [2] [3] [4]
|
Guidance system | Hybrid (RF/IR) + datalink |
Launch platform | Transporter Erector Launcher |
Project Kusha, or Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS), is a programme under the Defense Research and Development Organization for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The programme was also previously referred to as XRSAM [a] [4] or PGLRSAM [b] [2] . The goal is to design a mobile long-range surface-to-air missile system. The phased induction of the missile system consisting three variants of interceptors into the services is expected between 2028 and 2030. [5] [1]
It will supplement the Barak 8, S-400 and Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme. It is also one of the element of Mission Sudarshan Chakra. [6]
The missile system might be used to bridge the gap between the MR-SAM (80 km) and S-400 (400 km). It is being developed as an area-defence system. The Indian Air Force will be the lead agency for this air defence system. [7] [8]
The project was cleared for development by the Cabinet Committee on Security in May 2022, and was granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Ministry of Defence in September 2023 for procuring five of its squadrons for the IAF for ₹ 21,700 crore (US$2.6 billion). [5]
The naval version of the missile might be also developed to supplement the LR-SAM missile in the Indian Navy. [4] [9]
As of August 2024, DRDO was about to start the fabrication process of 5 M1 missiles (range of 150 km). DRDO has also placed order for 20 sets of airframes, 20 sets of rocket motors, 50 sets of kill vehicles (warhead), onboard & ground transceivers for telemetry. The missiles are expected to begin testing in early 2025. [10] [11]
As of May 2025, Bharat Electronics, the development partner of DRDO in Project Kusha, was reportedly scheduled to complete the manufacturing of the prototype of the missile system within 12 to 18 months. This would be followed by user trials for a period of 12 to 36 months. BEL will also be one of the integration partner of the missile system when the production starts. [12] The first trials for M1 missile is expected in September 2025 while the same for next two missiles is expected in 2026 and 2027, respectively. The phased induction of all the three missiles is expected between 2028 and 2030. [1] Following the Operation Sindoor, the IAF has requested DRDO to fast-track the development of the missile system. [13] [14]
However, as of August 2025, the timeline of M1 missile was now shifted to 2026, with the same for M2 and M3 expected to commence in 2027 and 2028, respectively. [6]
The missile system, often compared to Russia's S-400 missile system, includes three variants of interceptor missiles, designated M1, M2 and M3. The missiles will have ranges of 150 km (93 mi), 250 km (160 mi) and 350–400 km (220–250 mi), respectively. While all the variants will share the same kill vehicle, they will have different boosters to meet different ranges. This system will also feature advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars. [5] [1] [3] The air defence system will be capable of detecting and destroying enemy assets like cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and drones at around 250 km range and larger aircraft like airborne early warning and control at a range of 350 km. [7]
The missiles may also possess short or medium range BMD capabilities. The 85% single-shot kill probability will rise to 98.5% when firing two missiles five seconds apart in salvo mode. A 500–600 km (310–370 mi) radius can be scanned by the S-band Long Range Battle Management Radar. It will be able to identify ballistic missiles and precision-guided munitions. To optimize target engagement, evaluate real-time data, and coordinate intercepts, Project Kusha will incorporate an AI-enabled decision support system. In Phase-2, interceptors with anti-hypersonic capabilities and ranges surpassing 400 km (250 mi) will be developed. [2]
The missile batteries will be able to “interact” with the Integrated Air Command and Control System. It is a fully-automated air defence network operated by Indian Air Force which will be built to combine numerous military and civilian radars with each other in Indian airspace to make the air defence system more efficient and reliable. [5]
The development of a long-range naval version that can intercept anti-ship ballistic missile hitting up to Mach 7 is underway, with a range of more than 250 km (160 mi). [15] For the Project 18-class destroyer, a 6x6-meter radar is being developed for 360° coverage to detect ASBM and sea-skimming missiles up to 1,000 km (620 mi) range. [2]
As a system integrator, Bharat Electronics anticipates a possible order from Project Kusha worth up to ₹ 40,000 crore (US$4.7 billion). BEL is committed to accelerating system readiness and product development. The company is working on developing control systems and radars. [16]
India 
Indian Air Force — 5 Squadrons (on order). [5] 
Indian Navy — PlannedSimilar systems
Related lists
