- On July 23, 2026, DRDO conducted the first successful flight test of the indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile system, ‘Kusha’.
- The test was carried out from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha; the missile precisely destroyed an electronic target simulating an aerial threat flying at high speed and high altitude.
- This achievement is considered a significant milestone in strengthening India's air and missile defense capabilities.
- Long-range surface-to-air missiles are launched from the ground and are designed to neutralize aerial threats—such as fighter aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and others—from long distances.
- The success of the ‘Kusha’ system demonstrates India's growing self-reliance in indigenous defense technology and could play a crucial role in reducing dependence on foreign air defense systems in the future.
- According to DRDO, ‘Kusha’ is being developed to effectively counter aerial threats approaching at various ranges and altitudes.
- It will become a vital component of India's multi-layered air defense system, wherein different categories of aerial threats will be intercepted by specific defense systems based on their range and altitude.
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