DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) Kusha

DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) Kusha

¨     Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) Kusha on 23 July 2026.

¨     The test was carried out from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

¨     During the trial, the missile successfully intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat.

¨     Kusha is an indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by DRDO.

¨     A Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) is a ground-launched air defence weapon designed to destroy aerial threats at long distances and high altitudes.

¨     Such systems are used against fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, and other airborne threats.

¨     Project Kusha is India's air and missile defence programme.

¨     The project aims to establish a multi-layered national air defence shield by 2035.

¨     The Kusha missile system is one of the key components of this programme.

¨     It is designed to provide protection over a wide range and altitude envelope.

¨     All major components of the Kusha weapon system, including missiles, radars, and the command-and-control centre, have been developed by DRDO laboratories in collaboration with Indian industry partners.

¨     The system is capable of neutralising fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and large enemy aircraft.

¨     Exam Facts: Developer – DRDO; Missile – Kusha (LRSAM); Test Site – APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha; Project – Project Kusha; Objective – Develop a multi-layered national air and missile defence shield by 2035.