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NEW DELHI: Defence curate Rajnath Singh connected Friday described the indigenous Project Kusha aerial defence strategy arsenic a imaginable “game changer” for India's information architecture, saying it has already demonstrated its value during Operation Sindoor.Addressing the inaugural ceremonial of the Advanced Weapon System Complex astatine the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) successful Hyderabad, Singh compared the system's protective relation to the legendary Govardhan Hill from Hindu mythology.“Today I foretell that the Project Kusha volition beryllium a crippled changer for India's information scenario,” Singh said, according to quality bureau ANI.Referring to Operation Sindoor, the tri-services subject run launched successful 2025 pursuing the Pahalgam panic attack, helium added, “It is simply a world-class indigenous aerial defence system, which has proved its value during Operation Sindoor.
No further impervious is needed. Just arsenic the Govardhan elevation protected the full portion of Braj successful the Dvapara Yuga, our aerial defence strategy provided a protective umbrella for the full portion during that period.
”
What is Project Kusha?
Project Kusha is simply a long-range indigenous surface-to-air rocket (SAM) strategy being developed by DRDO to supply layered aerial defence against a scope of aerial threats.The strategy is designed to rival precocious platforms specified arsenic Russia's S-400 Triumf and volition diagnostic 3 interceptor variants:
- M1 interceptor with a scope of astir 150 km
- M2 interceptor with a scope of astir 250 km
- M3 interceptor with a scope of 350-400 km
The strategy is intended to antagonistic combatant aircraft, including stealth platforms, drones, cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions and definite ballistic rocket threats.
The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 5 squadrons for the
Indian Air Force
successful 2023.Operational deployment is expected astir 2028-2030.
Part of India's broader aerial defence plans
Project Kusha is expected to beryllium integrated with the Indian Air Force's Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), allowing real-time coordination betwixt subject and civilian radar networks.The task is besides linked to the broader "Mission Sudarshan Chakra", an inaugural aimed astatine gathering a multi-layered aerial and rocket defence shield for India by 2035.The architecture is expected to harvester long-range systems similar Kusha with Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM), Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), ballistic rocket defence assets and aboriginal directed-energy weapons.
Rajnath highlights changing quality of warfare
Singh said the planetary information situation is becoming progressively uncertain, with conflicts, instability and emerging wars reshaping planetary relations.“The planetary bid is passing done a signifier of hostility and change. Old assumptions are breaking down, and caller alliances and caller challenges are taking shape,” helium said.He stressed the request for some resilience and deterrence, saying countries indispensable beryllium susceptible of absorbing shocks portion besides discouraging imaginable adversaries done beardown defence capabilities.The curate besides noted that modern warfare is rapidly evolving done technologies specified arsenic artificial intelligence, physics warfare and precocious sensors.
Push for indigenous defence ecosystem
Singh said India's defence ecosystem is undergoing important transformation, with DRDO laboratories, defence nationalist assemblage undertakings, backstage industry, startups, MSMEs and academia moving unneurotic much intimately than before.“DRDO laboratories, defence nationalist assemblage undertakings, backstage industries, startups, MSMEs, and academia are moving unneurotic with greater integration than ever before,” helium said, expressing assurance that the collaborative exemplary would accelerate India's travel from innovation to accumulation and operational capability.He added that programmes specified arsenic Project Kusha and institutions similar DRDL fortify nationalist assurance by ensuring India remains prepared amid an progressively volatile planetary information landscape.
