Project Kusha S-400: India is pushing forward with Project Kusha, a new long-range air defence system being made by DRDO. Its official name is the Extended Range Air Defence System, or ERADS. The plan is to build a strong Indian system that can guard the sky at long distance and reduce the country’s need to depend on foreign suppliers.
Public reporting says the system is being developed as a homegrown answer in the same broad class as long-range systems like the Russian S-400, with deployment for the Indian Air Force planned around 2028 to 2029 and phased induction often described as stretching into 2030.
Open-source reporting also says Project Kusha is being built in three layers. The M1 missile is expected to have a range of about 150 km. The M2 is expected to reach around 250 km. The biggest one, called M3, is usually described with a range of about 350 km to 400 km. Reports in 2026 also said the M1 interceptor had cleared early development milestones, which was seen as an important step for the full programme.
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Why This Project Matters so Much
One big reason this project is getting attention is money. India’s S-400 deal with Russia was valued at about $5.43 billion, and recent reporting says the planned procurement of five Project Kusha squadrons for the IAF was cleared at about ₹21,700 crore. That has led many analysts and defence publications to describe Kusha as a much cheaper long-term option for India if it performs as expected.
The other major reason is control. With a system made in India, the armed forces can work with Indian industry and Indian agencies instead of waiting on outside suppliers for every major change. Supporters of the project say this matters because foreign systems often come with strict limits on software access.
Some commentary around the programme has even stressed freedom from locked software and possible hidden “kill switches”, though that part is usually presented as a strategic concern rather than something publicly proven in a specific foreign system.
Cheaper Upkeep and Easier Use with Indian Systems
The long-term value may be just as important as the starting price. Air defence systems stay in service for many years. If a country buys a foreign platform, repairs, spare parts, upgrades, and overhauls can become slow and costly. With Project Kusha, the idea is that support can be handled inside India much more easily. That could help cut delays and keep the system ready more often. Reports tied to the project also point to Indian companies such as Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited playing major roles in radars, integration, and missile-related work.
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Another strong point is network use. Public reporting says Project Kusha is meant to work with India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System, or IACCS. That is important because modern air defence is not only about one missile launcher. It is about radars, aircraft, command centres, and weapons all sharing data fast. If Kusha connects smoothly with Indian systems like early warning aircraft, fighters, and ground radars, commanders can react quicker and make better choices in a real battle.
