Project Kusha

Project Kusha (also known as ERADS) is an Indian long-range mobile surface-to-air missile system being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The missile system will consist of at least three types of interceptors and is expected to be deployed by 2028–2029.

It will supplement the Indo-Israeli Barak 8, Russian S-400 and Indian Ballistic Missile Defence System in the Indian armed forces.

Development
The missile system might used to bridge the gap between the MR-SAM (70 km) and S-400 (400 km). It is being developed as an area-defence system. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be the lead agency for this air defence system.

The project was cleared for development by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in May 2022, and was granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in September 2023 for procuring five of its squadrons for the IAF for Rs 21,700 crore.

The naval version of the missile might be also developed to supplement the LR-SAM missile in the Indian Navy.

Design
The missile system includes at least three types of interceptor missiles. The missiles will have ranges of 150 km, 250 km and 350 km, along with a possible missile with BMD capabilities. This system will also feature advanced long-range surveillance and fire control radars. The air defence system will be capable of detecting and destroying enemy assets like cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets, and drones at around 250 km range and larger aircraft like airborne early warning and control (AEW&CS) at a range of 350 km. It will have a single-shot kill probability more than 80% and not less than 90% probability in salvo launch mode.

The missile batteries will be able to “interact” with the IAF’s integrated air command and control system (IACCS). It is a fully-automated air defence network operated by Indian Air Force which will be built to combine numerous military and civilian radars with each other in Indian airspace to make the Air Defence system more efficient and reliable.

Operators

 * — 5 Squadrons to be deployed
 * — Planned
 * — Planned