DRDO conducts maiden flight-test of 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on 23 July 2026, intercepting an electronic target that simulated a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat.
Summary
The Kusha missile system is designed to neutralise a wide range of aerial threats – fighter jets, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and large enemy aircraft – across a wide range and altitude envelope. Kusha's weapon system elements, including the missiles, radars and command and control centre, were developed by DRDO laboratories and industry partners. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said only a handful of nations possess long-range surface-to-air missile capability and that the test would eliminate import dependency for such systems. DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh monitored the launch.
Key facts
- System
- 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM)
- Test
- Maiden flight-test, 23 July 2026
- Site
- APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha
- Target
- Electronic target simulating high-speed, high-altitude threat – intercepted
- Threats covered
- Fighter jets, missiles, UAVs, large aircraft
- Developer
- DRDO laboratories with industry partners
- DRDO Chairman
- Rajesh Kumar Singh
Practice MCQs 4 questions
'Kusha', whose maiden flight-test was conducted by DRDO on 23 July 2026, is a:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
Kusha is a Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile designed to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, missiles and UAVs.
From where was the maiden flight-test of the Kusha missile conducted in July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off Odisha
The test was conducted from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
In the maiden test of the Kusha missile, what kind of target was intercepted?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — An electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat
The missile intercepted an electronic target simulating a high-speed and high-altitude aerial threat.
Consider the following statements about the Kusha missile system: 1. Kusha can engage fighter jets, missiles, UAVs and large aircraft. 2. Kusha's radars and command and control centre were imported, with only the missile made in India. 3. The Defence Minister said the system will eliminate import dependency for such systems. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: all weapon system elements, including the missiles, radars and command and control centre, were developed by DRDO laboratories and industry partners.