News From Multiple Perspectives

India successfully tests indigenous Project Kusha air defence shield

Published July 28, 2026 at 10:33 AM UTC

Authored by
Every article published on DirectionFreeNews undergoes editorial review by our editorial team. Our editors research publicly available information from multiple trusted news organizations, compare differing perspectives, verify key facts, and publish balanced summaries intended to help readers better understand important events. Our editorial process is designed to reduce editorial bias by considering multiple reputable sources rather than relying on a single viewpoint

India has successfully tested its indigenously developed long-range air defence system, Project Kusha. The test, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), marks a major step in the country's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign military hardware. Project Kusha is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles and aircraft at ranges beyond 250 kilometers, filling a critical gap in India's multi-layered air defence network. Defence officials confirmed that the test met all mission objectives, validating the system's radar, interceptor missile, and command-and-control integration. The shield is expected to be deployed in phases over the next few years, covering sensitive military installations and major cities. While the project has been in development for over a decade, recent geopolitical tensions have accelerated its testing timeline. The system uses a mix of solid-fuel and liquid-fuel boosters to achieve high altitude and speed. Developers emphasized that all components are made in India, aligning with the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative. The successful test is a confidence booster for the Indian armed forces, which currently operate a mix of Israeli, Russian, and American air defence systems. However, experts note that serial production and full operational deployment could take another three to five years. The DRDO has not disclosed the project's total cost, but analysts estimate it to be several billion rupees. The next phase will involve firings against moving targets and electronic warfare testing.