Project Kusha (XRSAM)

From Astra Kosh, the AlphaDefense encyclopedia · Category: Land Systems
Contents
  1. Design and Variants
  2. Programme Timeline
  3. Strategic Significance
  4. Specifications
  5. Sources

Project Kusha, also known by its earlier designation XRSAM (Extra-long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) or ERADS (Extended Range Air Defence System), is a transportable, long-range, multi-tier surface-to-air missile system under development by DRDO, intended to give India an indigenous alternative/complement to the imported Russian S-400 Triumf.[1]

Design and Variants

Kusha is being developed with three (some reports cite four) operational-range interceptor variants: M1 (120–150 km), M2 (~250 km) and M3 (350–400 km), using a hybrid RF/IR guidance system with datalink update, and capable of engaging targets — including stealth aircraft, drones, cruise missiles and precision-guided munitions — at altitudes up to about 30 km and speeds up to Mach 5.5. The system is engineered to intercept intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) threats re-entering at speeds up to 4 km/s, reflecting an ambition beyond pure aircraft/cruise-missile defence.[1][2]

Programme Timeline

Project Kusha was cleared for development in May 2022, and received Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in September 2023 to procure five squadrons for the Indian Air Force at an estimated cost of ₹21,700 crore (roughly US$2.5 billion). By August 2024, DRDO had begun fabricating M1-variant (150 km-range) missiles and placed orders for airframes, rocket motors, kill vehicles and transceivers, with flight testing expected to begin in early 2025; the system was publicly showcased at Aero India 2025. Kusha is projected for deployment with the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy around 2028–2029.[3][4]

Strategic Significance

As a multi-tier, long-range system capable of engaging both aerodynamic and ballistic threats, Kusha is intended to reduce India’s reliance on imported systems such as the S-400 for its highest air-defence tier, and forms a critical layer within India’s evolving integrated multi-layer air-defence architecture alongside Akash, Akash-NG, MRSAM and QRSAM.[1]

Specifications

Type Long-range, multi-tier surface-to-air missile system
Developer DRDO
Variants/ranges M1: 120–150 km; M2: ~250 km; M3: 350–400 km
Max speed Mach 5.5
Max intercept altitude ~30 km
Guidance Hybrid RF/IR with datalink
AoN approval September 2023, ~₹21,700 crore for 5 IAF squadrons
Projected deployment ~2028–2029, IAF and Indian Navy

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, “Project Kusha.”
  2. IDRW, “Kusha SAM: Mach 5.5 Hypersonic Sentinel Poised to Neutralize IRBM Threats at 350 km.”
  3. IDRW, “Project Kusha: DRDO’s Long-Range Air Defence System Expands with Four Interceptor Variants.”
  4. Indian Defence News, “DRDO’s Project Kusha Air Defence System Showcased At Aero India 2025.”