DRDO conducts successful maiden flight-test of ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
DRDO’s maiden flight-test of the long-range ‘Kusha’ surface-to-air missile confirms an ability to intercept an electronic high-speed, high-altitude target.
- DRDO describes ‘Kusha’ as a long-range surface-to-air missile system intended to neutralise multiple aerial threat categories within a wide range and altitude envelope.
- DRDO reported successful interception of an electronic target simulating high-speed, high-altitude aerial threats during the maiden flight-test of ‘Kusha’.
What happened
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. DRDO reported that the missile system intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed and high-altitude aerial threat during the test conducted on 23 July 2026.
Background and earlier position
For UPSC, the ‘Kusha’ maiden test is a defence R&D milestone that can be analysed through air-defence capability development, test methodology (electronic targets), and the strategic implications of indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile systems.
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